Nick Barmby came off the bench to net his first goal of the season this evening, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Tigers slipping to a 2-1 defeat against Watford in the Carling Cup Third Round.

Phil Parkinson was forced to make changes to his starting line up. With Craig Fagan suspended and Nicky Forster and Danny Mills both ineligible, Ryan France, Jon Parkin and Andy Dawson all came into the side.

Danny Coles also missed out. That meant Damien Delaney reverted to centre back with Dean Marney coming into the midfield.

Nick Barmby made a return to the first team squad as he was included on the bench while defensive cover was provided by youth team product Matthew Plummer.

Following the departures of assistant manager Frank Barlow and fitness coach Stuart Ayles, Billy Russell assisted Parkinson and Colin Murphy with the pre-match warm up while former manager Peter Taylor watched the action from the directors' box.

Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd selected a strong side for the game, although main striker Marlon King missed out through injury.

The home side were awarded an early free kick when Delaney was penalised for holding back Tamas Priskin on the edge of the box.

That foul proved costly as Watford took the lead from the set piece, Ashley Young curling the ball into the top corner of the net.

A minute later, Watford were awarded another free kick within shooting distance. Young once again stepped up to take it, but this time he sent a low shot into the wall.

City won a corner on ten minutes when Stuart Elliott's cross was deflected behind. The ball eventually found its way to the back post where Parkin was unmarked, but his goal-bound volley was blocked.

John Welsh had a half chance to get the Tigers level after Parkin had set him up, but the midfielder sent a left foot shot over the bar from the edge of the area.

Elliott went close on 15 minutes when he out-muscled Dan Shittu, but the keeper saved the Northern Ireland international's shot with his legs.

The home side almost doubled their lead when Young swung a free kick over to the far post for Shittu, but the centre back headed wide.

Boaz Myhill was forced into a save in the 23rd minute when Priskin was sent through on goal, but the striker could only shoot straight at the City keeper.

The travelling City fans appealed loudly for a penalty on 25 minutes when Elliott went down in the box as he looked to get on the end of a Sam Ricketts [pictured] cross, but the referee was having none of it.

Myhill had to make a reaction save at his near post when Darius Henderson almost turned a left wing cross into the net on the half hour.

A clash of heads between Delaney and Priskin left both players needing treatment and gave the crowd a chance to watch a race between the Watford physio and City's Simon Maltby. Maltby just about took the honours.

Half Time: Watford 1-0 Tigers.

Watford went further in front eight minutes after the break. A wildly miss-hit back pass from France allowed Priskin to beat Ricketts to the ball and the forward made no mistake.

Darius Henderson went close to making it three shortly after, but his back-post header from a corner went just wide.

City made their first change on 62 minutes when Darryl Duffy replaced Marney as the Tigers went back to a 4-4-2 formation.

That was soon followed by the introduction of Barmby, who came on for Elliott on the left side of midfield and he had an almost immediate impact.

The Tigers were awarded a free kick by the corner flag when France was pulled back and from it City got back into the game.

Dawson swung the ball into the box and when it wasn't cleared effectively, the ball dropped to Nick Barmby [pictured] who acrobatically put it into the net.

City were almost level on 77 minutes. A poor clearance from goalkeeper Ben Foster landed at the feet of Parkin 30 yards out. With Foster well out of position, 'The Beast' attempted a chip and was unlucky to see it land just the wrong side of the post.

Parkinson then made his final change, throwing on Mark Yeates in place of France.

Barmby and Shittu were shown a yellow card after they squared up to each other as City looked to take a quick free kick.

Parkin again went close to bringing City level with four minutes to go. He met a Yeates free kick with his head, but Foster saved low to his left.

Ian Ashbee then brought a fine save out of Foster with a shot from the edge of the area before Watford scrambled the rebound behind.

That proved to be the last chance and the Tigers' interest in the Carling Cup came to an end for another season.

Tigers (4-5-1) Boaz Myhill; Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Damien Delaney, Andy Dawson; Ryan France (Yeates 78), Dean Marney (Duffy 62), Ian Ashbee [captain], John Welsh, Stuart Elliott (Barmby 68); Jon Parkin.

Subs: Matt Duke, Matthew Plummer, Mark Yeates, Nick Barmby, Darryl Duffy.

Bookings:  Barmby 84

Watford (4-4-2) Ben Foster; Lloyd Doyley, Jay Demerit, Dan Shittu (Mackay 85), Jordan Stewart; Ashley Young, Damien Francis, Gavin Mahon [captain], Hameur Bouazza; Darius Henderson, Tamas Priskin (Spring 89).

Subs: Richard Lee, Chris Powell, Malky Mackay, Anthony McNamee, Matthew Spring.

Bookings: Shittu 84