West Brom boss calls for improved game management as Watford strike back

But Albion's first-half lead lasted just four minutes as Watford skipper Imran Louza bent a fine equaliser from which Mason's men failed to recover.

Mason acknowledged his side made a decent start to the contest - Hornets boss Javi Gracia's first back at home since his return - but they failed to handle the lead and do what was required in telling moments thereafter.

"There's disappointment in both," Mason said of the result and performance.

"The performance for the first half hour until we scored the goal was really good. We had a lot of control in the game and I think understood the moment of the game.

"It was really important to get through to half-time at 1-0. We weren't able to do that. In the second half they probably had their best spell straight after half-time.

"I think for us it was about just trying to manage that moment and get through it. Obviously losing Alfie (Gilchrist) in that spell didn't help. But still, we need to be better at managing those moments in the game because teams have spells.

"Of course a team can create momentum and they had a bit of momentum., but it was disappointing to concede in that moment."

The hosts dominated a second half in which Albion struggled, with an easily-saved Price header all the Baggies created in search of an equaliser.

Albion lost full debutant Gilchrist, the right-back signed from Chelsea late in the summer window, to an ankle injury sustained in the first half that worsened after the break.

Gilchrist had a solid first start but his replacement George Campbell was targeted and beaten by Watford left-back Marc Bola as he created what proved the winner.

"The (first) goal was disappointing because it felt like we got stretched," the head coach added. "It was relatively soft. It is difficult to accept and we need to learn from it."

"Obviously we can lose one-v-one duels out wide," Mason said of Vata's winner. "That's normal, that happens. I think the willingness to arrive in areas from the players was there. In terms of our structure and what we work on and what we expect it to look like, it was there.

"Yes, it was unfortunate the way the ball fell to their player. Sometimes that happens in football."

Mason's options were limited, particularly in midfield with Toby Collyer (hamstring) and Jayson Molumby (muscle) missing. The versatile Krystian Bielik, also a possible midfield option, was ill as Ousmane Diakite started.

The Baggies boss opted for Aune Heggebo over the returning Josh Maja, who is being nursed back to full fitness and the Norwegian was starved of service.

Clear chances were at a premium and Price's header just after the hour was the final time the visitors carved open an opportunity.

if Price's opportunity goes in it's a different feeling," Mason said. "It's probably one of the clearest chances all game for both teams.

"Obviously those moments are so important. When you come away from home, you don't get loads of opportunities. I don't think there were lots of opportunities in the game itself.

"But when you have opportunities, when you have those moments, at this level when the games are so tight and there's not a great deal in it, it's important you try and take them and unfortunately we weren't able to do it."