Angry manager Alan Irvine will complain to the Football League about the apparent gamesmanship of groundstaff during North End's 2-1 defeat.

Irvine slammed the seemingly organised antics of ballboys and other club personnel as "disgraceful".

And the Hornets could face disciplinary action if video footage of the match proves staff acted unfairly.

In his report to the League, Irvine will also claim extra footballs were deliberately thrown on to the field with PNE pushing for an equaliser in the second half as a tactic to get referee Kevin Wright to revert to a single matchball and thus slow play down even further.

Irvine was involved in a blazing bust-up with the fourth official late in the match.

He said: "You are supposed to give the ball back at the same speed for both teams, but it was getting thrown back quickly for the home side and slowly for us.

"They also deliberately threw a ball on because they knew it was trying the patience of the referee. That is an absolute disgrace.

"That was a deliberate ploy. They knew that if an extra ball came on to the pitch on enough occasions then the referee would scrap it.

"They were winning 2-1. Who does that favour?"

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Embarrassed Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd has vowed to investigate the actions of groundstaff to see if there was any abuse of the system.

"There is a sporting way to behave," Boothroyd said. "If anything has happened then I will look at it very seriously.

"There is a standard that has to be upheld."

Liam Chilvers continued his comeback from injury with his first 90 minutes since March as Preston's reserve team hammered Rochdale 5-0 at Chorley on Wednesday.

The centre-half capped an encouraging display with North End's third goal. Brett Ormerod netted twice, Simon Whaley got on the scoresheet and youngster Rob Turner was also on the mark.

See Thursday's Lancashire Evening Post for the full story