Adrian Boothroyd's tenure as Watford boss got off to a disappointing start as Burnley ran out 3-1 winners at Turf Moor.

The 34-year-old took up his first managerial post this week when he left his position as Leeds first-team coach to succeed Ray Lewington.

Even Watford chairman Graham Simpson admitted hiring such an inexperienced manager was "a gamble" at such a pivotal stage of the season and certain factions in the club's support have predictably expressed their surprise at Boothroyd's appointment.

And their fears will hardly have been allayed by this scoreline, which leaves Watford hovering precariously above the relegation zone.

Watford were rewarded for an aggressive second-half showing when substitute Dominic Blizzard headed the visitors back into the game after 77 minutes.

But, with Watford committing men forward, Jean-Louis Valois' stunning injury-time strike confirmed a home win to send Boothroyd back to the drawing board.

Valois' goal aside, the damage was done by two defensive mishaps in the first half.

Goalscorers Dean Bowditch and James O'Connor were both afforded far too much time and space by a static back four, which will need strengthening quickly if relegation to League One is to be averted.

The visitors made a bright start but it was undone by Burnley's first meaningful attack when an aimless punt upfield somehow caught the Watford defence on their heels.

Bowditch, on loan from Ipswich, sensed the visitors' uncertainty and reacted quickly with a deft touch and fine finish past goalkeeper Richard Lee after 20 minutes.

Burnley never give much away on their own patch and were in no mood for compassion on Boothroyd's big day.

And so it proved as O'Connor's rifled 43rd-minute finish from just inside the penalty box made the new Watford manager's task of rallying his side at the interval twice as tough.

Boothroyd, who cited Winston Churchill as one of his idols after taking over at Vicarage Road, clearly roused his beleaguered troops at the break as Watford put up a notable second-half improvement.

For all Watford's vim and vigour after the interval, they rarely looked like penetrating Burnley's well-drilled back-four until their manager showed admirable courage with an inspired triple substitution.

Off went Jack Smith, Brynjar Gunnarsson and Chris Eagles and on came Jermaine Darlington, Anthony McNamee and Dominic Blizzard.

It was a risk that was to pay off as McNamee sent over a corner for Blizzard to head home at the back post within four minutes of his arrival.

Watford went for broke with time running out but it was not to be Boothroyd's day as substitute Valois showed supreme skill to slide the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle.

Teams

Burnley Jensen, Cahill, Sinclair, McGreal, Camara, Oster (Valois 88), O'Connor, Hyde, Branch (Duff 81), Akinbiyi, Bowditch (Grant 81).

Subs Not Used: Coyne, Roche.

Goals: Bowditch 20, O'Connor 43, Valois 90.

Watford Lee, Cox, DeMerit, Chambers, Smith (Darlington 73), Eagles (McNamee 73), Mahon, Gunnarsson (Blizzard 73), Young, Dyer, Bouazza.

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Doyley.

Goals: Blizzard 77.

Att: 11,507

Ref: M Pike (Cumbria).