Reading spurned numerous chances against ten-man Watford before conceding a soft goal to fall to their fourth home defeat of the season.

It was a new beginning at Reading FC as Clarke made his Madejski Stadium bow but it was the same old story for the Royals' long-suffering supporters.

Almen Abdi's 70th minute strike was enough to give Watford all three points, despite them playing the entire second-half with 10 men after Gabrielle Angella was dismissed in first-half added time for a second yellow card.

In truth, Huerlho Gomes won't have a more comfortable afternoon this season despite plenty of Reading attempts, as most sailed wide.

The keeper was barely tested as the Royals failed to hit the net for the eighth time this season.

The hosts were out to impress their new manager and started the first-half brightly as they came close to taking the lead in the opening minute.

Jordan Obita's cross found Glenn Murray at the far post but he could only side foot over the bar.

It was a difficult chance from a tight angle but the on-loan striker would've been disappointed to have not at least hit the target.

Reading were competing well but Watford had arrived at the Madejski Stadium in confident mood as they looked to make it three wins in a row.

They soon found their feet and Adam Federici had to be alert to stop a Daniel Pudil header early on, before he made a fine save from a fizzing Abdi drive.

It was an end-to-end opening but the game soon calmed down as both sides struggled to create any real chances for the rest of the half.

Reading's main threat was down the right-hand side as Chris Gunter and Garath McCleary created problems for the Watford defence.

One Gunter cross was headed over by Nick Blackman, whilst a low McCleary cross was diverted into the side netting by the away defence.

Murray went close with a flicked effort from an Obita cross but all too often Reading were failing to hit the target.

With the game drifting towards half-time, Reading were given a huge boost as Angella was dismissed for a second yellow card in added time.

McCleary took him on and as both stumbled the ball struck Angella's hand, with the referee having no option but to issue a second yellow card.

It was a golden opportunity for Clarke's men to push on in the second-half and ensure it was a winning start for the new manager, but it failed to materialise.

Watford started the second-half stronger and showed a signal of their intent by forcing a couple of early corners.

Reading soon settled down though and went close twice in quick succession as they started to dominate possession.

In the 53rd minute, a long Obita clearance was chased down by Murray and he got to the ball first to run clear of the Watford defence and one-on-one with Gomes.

He opened his body and tried to curl it past the ex-Tottenham keeper but he put too much on it and sent it wide.

If that was a let-off for the visitors then the one seven minutes later was even worse from a Reading perspective.

The ever-dangerous McCleary again beat his man and sent a low ball across goal that evaded Gomes and the Watford defence, with Blackman meeting it at the far post but somehow sliding it wide from four yards.

And Reading were made to pay as Watford took the lead in the 70th minute courtesy of Abdi.

Danny Williams lost the ball in his own-half and the visitors fed Ikechi Anya who pulled it back to the edge of the box for Abdi to drive beyond Federici and give Watford the lead.

The goal was a bitter blow to Clarke's side and they struggled to recover from the set-back.

Blackman volleyed over a Murray nod down but that was as good as it got late on as the full-time whistle was greeted with a chorus of boos.

If Clarke wasn't sure what the job entailed before this, then he will do now.

Reading Adam Federici; Chris Gunter, Alex Pearce, Michael Hector, Jordan Obita; Garath McCleary, Oliver Norwood, Danny Williams (Jake Cooper '90), Nick Blackman; Simon Cox, Glenn Murray. Subs: Mikkel Andersen; Stephen Kelly, Shaun Cummings, Jack Stacey, Craig Tanner, Jake Taylor.

Watford Heurelho Gomes; Gabrielle Angella, Adlene Guedioura, Daniel Tozser, Troy Deeney, Craig Cathcart, Daniel Pudil, Matej Vydra, Ikechi Anya, Almen Abdi, Sebastien Bassong. Subs: Jonathan Bond, Odion Ighao, Lloyd Dyer, Sean Murray, Juan Carloes Paredes, Lloyd Doyley, Fernando Forestieri.