Huddersfield Town's interim manager Mark Lillis admitted the mood in the dressing room was an altogether disappointed one after falling to a 4-2 defeat at 10-man Watford.

Troy Deeney's first-half goal sent Giuseppe Sannino's side on their way but Town rallied and deservedly equalised through Harry Bunn before what looked to be a foul on the young forward presented an opening for two-goal Almen Abdi, who put the hosts back in front.

Murray Wallace levelled once more before Hornets defender Gabriel Tamas received his marching orders but, instead of boosting Town, it only served to focus the minds of the Watford players and a header from former Town target Keith Andrews and Abdi's second in stoppage time did the damage in a six-goal thriller at Vicarage Road.

When quizzed on how he and the players felt after the club's third league defeat of the season, Lillis revealed: "It's mass disappointment because we've come here, we've had a game plan.

"I thought we were magnificent against a really top team who are going to do well this season - they're up there already.

"We're disappointed with the headed goal, we've got to take more responsibility, but we'll look at that on Monday and we'll have to name names and learn from it."

Lillis lamented the decision not to award his side a free-kick in the build-up to Abdi's first goal of the contest but felt his side showed spirit to keep their noses in it.

On the manner of the defeat, he added: “We're gutted really, especially one of the decisions where Harry’s [Bunn] got pushed in the back and I think that made it 2-1.

"We got a momentum and then we’ve come back, we’ve some character again to get to 2-2."

The second half encompassed four goals and a red card in a hectic 20-minute spell and Town's caretaker admitted it was a great spectacle to be a part of, despite being on the wrong end of the result.

"I thought it was a great game, I really enjoyed it," he added.

"It was end to end, 22 guys having a right go at it to get a result but the Championship – I've been in it now for four games – is cruel and people will make you pay for your mistakes if you slip, you go to sleep a little bit and bang, it’s a goal.

“But with the performance, I thought they were fantastic. The players, the last four league games for me have been unbelievable.”