George Puscas hit the winner to maintain Reading’s 100% league record and end Watford’s unbeaten start.

James Garner came closest for the Hornets, thundering a first-half free-kick against the crossbar.

Watford bossed the second half, but the hosts came closest to the game’s second goal when Foster saved Yakou Meite’s low drive and stay second, behind leaders Bristol City on goals scored.

The Reading defence, marshalled by Michael Morrison, have conceded just once in their four league wins to ensure the club’s best start since the 1985-86 season rolled on.

The Hornets were unbeaten in their previous six visits to Madejski Stadium, but their failure to turn chances into goals means their search continues for a first away win since January.

The injury-hit hosts gave starts to four academy players, with a further five on the bench alongside leading scorer Lucas Joao, and the Hornets were immediately on the front foot, with Ismaila Sarr’s pace tormenting the Reading defence.

Tom Dele-Bashiru had a header blocked, while Jeremy Ngakia dragged a shot wide and Sarr hit the side netting, all in the first 10 minutes.

But Watford have scored just twice in the Championship this season, and were punished for their lack of cutting edge as they conceded their first league goal of the season moments after Foster had saved well from Meite.

The visitors brought on Glenn Murray late on as they sought to turn their second-half dominance into an equaliser, but the Royals were content to play on the counter-attack and defended with discipline to stay second behind Bristol City.