BELOW-par Ipswich Town paid for a dreadful start as the slumped to defeat at struggling Watford last night.Roy Keane's men were awful in the first half, and were fortunate to be only one-goal down at the break, undone by Henri Lansbury's free kick after just eight minutes.

BELOW-par Ipswich Town paid for a dreadful start as the slumped to defeat at struggling Watford last night.

Roy Keane's men were awful in the first half, and were fortunate to be only one-goal down at the break, undone by Henri Lansbury's free kick after just eight minutes.

Arsenal loanee Lansbury's free kick soared into the roof of the net, from his position 25 yards out on the left. The ball deceived both Hornet's defender Martin Taylor, who was trying to help it home, and also keeper Brian Murphy.

Twice Watford struck the woodwork but Town avoided shipping any more goals and they at least upped their game after the break.

The visitors seemed set to escape with a point when Jack Colback hooked home is fifth goal of the campaign in the 68th minute.

Shane O'Connor curled over a cross from the edge of the box and although Daryl Murphy's header was blocked, an alert Colback was on hand to gleefully ram home from in front of goal.

But Town were denied even a point when Will Hoskins lashed home an unstoppable shot from 12 yards out, benefitting from hesitancy in the Town defence.

That moment summed up what had been a desperately disappointing evening for the Suffolk club, who must now pick themselves up for two home games on the bounce against Barnsley and Plymouth.

Town remain on 44 points, and so still have to record another two or three wins to ensure their Championship status for another year.