An in-form Joe Mason struck twice to earn Cardiff City a 2-1 victory over Watford this evening.

The Irishman found the net in either half to make Troy Deeney's goal redundant in the grand scheme of things.

Anthony Pilkington was the first player to try his luck, but he was denied a fourth goal of pre-season by a solid block on the edge of the area.

Watford, who were without the injured Almen Abdi for their trip to South Wales, themselves carved a chance inside the opening 10 minutes when Deeney looked to break through on goal.

A fine recovery tackle by Sean Morrison prevented the Hornets striker from getting a shot away, however, and it proved a big moment as Mason slotted home the opener up the other end soon after.

Peter Whittingham then saw his attempt from range sail narrowly wide as the Bluebirds looked to double their lead, while Odion Ighalo's attempt was only kept out by a decent Simon Moore stop.

Watford did level things up before the break, however, with Deeney controlling Craig Cathcart's long ball and perfectly lofting it over Moore's reach.

Ighalo and Kagisho Dikgacoi each fired wide in the early stages of the second period, but it was Ben Watson who came closest to adding a second for the visitors when forcing Moore into another fine save.

Following a number of changes for both sides, it was Russell Slade's men who took the initiative when Mason latched on to Joe Ralls's through-ball to double his personal tally.

That proved to be the last act of the game, as the Welsh outfit held out for a victory in their first - and only - home pre-season outing.