More painfully bad defending played a major factor as Watford were beaten 3-1 at QPR.

For the 11th time this season the Hornets conceded inside the 10th minute, and didn’t learn their lesson as they were caught napping again from another simple ball into the box to trail by two at the break.

A goal early in the second half should have provided some hope but, as against Cardiff on Sunday, they conceded once again within a couple of minutes and from that point on the home side looked comfortably able to take the points.

There were four changes to the starting line-up, with Rocco Vata’s calf injury seeing him drop to the bench while Imran Louza wasn’t involved at all.

Francisco Sierralta returned to the defence to allow the Hornets to play three at the back, while Kwadwo Baah was restored to the team after missing the Cardiff due to suspension.

Tom Ince came into midfield for his first start since November 12, and only his seventh start overall in the Championship this season.

Ryan Andrews and Edo Kayembe also dropped to the bench.

The oh-too-familiar early goal arrived in five minutes and that put Watford on the back foot.

Although they created some chances, they looked vulnerable and when switched off at a free-kick they conceded another towards the end of the half, leaving themselves with a mountain to climb.

The Hornets handed themselves a lifeline when Baah pulled one back but, as against Cardiff, within two minutes they conceded.

As on Sunday, there was no way back from there and the Hornets slip to consecutive defeats for the first time since October.

Here’s how the game unfolded:

5 – QPR 1 (Frey) Watford 0

Another early goal, and far too simple. Free kick rolled into the box, Morgan ran onto it and his low ball across the box was swept home by Frey.

21 - Chakvetadze cross cleared but only as far as Pollock, he returned the ball to the Georgian who cut in and hit a curling shot which Nardi parried away.

25 - Surging run from Baah who breaks two tackles and hit a shot from the edge of the box that is deflected wide.

35 - Ince hit a curling 20-yard free kick with pace but Nardi held it above his head.

39 – QPR 2 (Dunne) Watford 0

Watford didn't clear a free kick and when Chair played the ball back into the box, Dunne was first in a line of three Rangers players ready to head it in.

44 - Not a bad chance that as Ngakia's deep cross from the right is met by the incoming Bayo, but he heads wide of the back post.

Half-time – QPR 2 Watford 0

51 - Bachmann came for a cross but his punch only went as far as Chair. His shot ran wide to Varane at the back of the box but with a largely empty goal to aim at he lashed his shot wide.

54 – QPR 2 Watford 1 (Baah)

A Rangers attack breaks down and Chakvetadze sprints down the left and cuts inside. he rolls a pass to Baah and his shot takes a deflection its way past Nardi.

56 – QPR 3 (Field) Watford 1

Watford undone by another ball into the box that this time Field was left to head past Bachmann.

64 - Baah steals the ball from Chair and accelerates into the box but his driven cross is just behind Bayo.

75 - Kayembe fed the ball to Vata, he laid it off to Chakvetadze whose volley from 20 yards was deflected wide. From the resultant corner, Porteous headed wide of the near post.

79 - Close to a fourth as Chair breaks free down the right, gets into the box and then fizzes the ball across the face of goal and just beyond the sliding Saito at the back post.

82 - Chair nicks the ball 25 yards out, holds off Porteous but his low shot is smothered by Bachmann.

90 - Baah broke down the right and unleashed a ferocious angled shot from 20 yards that cannoned back of the corner of bar and post.

Watford: Bachmann; Porteous, Sierralta, Pollock; Ngakia, Ince (Ebosele 65), Sissoko (Kayembe 65), Larouci (Vata 65); Chakvetadze, Baah; Bayo. Subs Bond, Dwomoh, Jebbison, Ogbonna, Morris, Andrews