Watford beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 to pick up their second victory of pre-season.

A first-half deflected effort from Etienne Capoue was all that divided the teams at the end of the game, after a scrappy battle that provided the Hornets with a physical challenge ahead of the upcoming Premier League campaign.

Javi Gracia was without a number of first team players who he chose to rest and started with Domingos Quina in the middle of a midfield five, with Adam Masina, Sebastian Prodl, Isaac Success and Christian Kabasele also given starting places.

It was the hosts who looked sharper from the off, as they troubled Watford throughout the game's opening exchanges.

Bright Osayi-Samuel looked lively and had Ben Foster beaten on eight minutes, only for his shot to cannon back off the post.

It took the best part of 20 minutes for the Hornets to really get into the game, but they almost took the lead soon after when Masina's corner ball found Craig Dawson at the back post.

He headed back into the six yard box, where Troy Deeney's looping header looked destined to nestle in the far corner, however Ryan Manning was there to nod clear.

The deadlock was finally broken on the half-hour mark when Masina again delivered a threatening ball into the box. Kiko Femenia challenged in the area, but was second to the ball, with Manning once again heading clear.

However Capoue was lurking on the edge of the area and his shot caught a wicked deflection, rendering Joe Lumley helpless in the QPR net.

From then on, moments of quality came at a premium.

One came Watford's way shortly after the break when they had a good chance to double the advantage through a Dawson header, but Lumley got down smartly to his right. 

Luke Amos had the best chance to equalise for QPR when the ball broke fortuitously for him in the area. However, he rushed his effort and lashed it wide.

A late Stefano Okaka header had QPR's substitute keeper Liam Kelly sprawling to his right, but other than that, neither side looked like adding a second goal to the game. 

Ultimately, it was a good win for Watford from a bad game for neutrals.