Stoke suffered a fourth successive loss as they went down to Watford in front of prospective new manager George Burley.

The Scot was in the stands to see struggling Stoke lose to Watford, whose goals came from Heidar Helguson and Neil Cox.

Stoke have yet to make an official announcement on their new managerial appointment.

But director of football John Rudge stated in the match programme that the new man would be a spectator at the game should talks be at an advanced stage.

It now seems highly probable that former Ipswich boss Burley will be unveiled at a press conference on Thursday.

Ironically, Stoke's last league victory came against Burley's Ipswich on 22 September.

Exposed

Former Watford striker Tommy Mooney had Stoke's first chance of the evening.

He burst down the inside left channel in the 11th minute but his low shot was smothered by keeper Alec Chamberlain.

But seven minutes later and the home side were behind.

Neil Ardley swung a corner into the six-yard area and Heidar Helguson flicked a header into the far corner.

Stoke were again exposed in the 36th minute as they went 2-0 down.

Ardley was the creator for a second time, this time his cross turned home by Watford captain Cox.

Watford striker Tommy Smith had two great chances to extend his side's lead within 10 minutes of the restart.

After going around keeper Neil Cutler for the first, he put the ball into the side netting and then moments later he again dribbled around Cutler only for his cross-shot to elude any of his team-mates.

Then with 71 minutes gone, Stoke suddenly found some life and more importantly a goal.

Bjarni Gudjonsson hit a cross from the right deep to the far post and Mooney's diving header flew past Chamberlain.

But despite a battling spirit typical of Burley's Ipswich sides, Stoke could not muster the equaliser.

Stoke: Cutler, Thomas, Clarke, Shtanuk, Gunnarsson, Henry, Goodfellow, O'Connor, Neal, Cooke, Mooney. Subs: Viander, Gudjonsson, Greenacre, Iwelumo, Vandeurzen.

Watford: Chamberlain, Robinson, Doyley, Cox, Dyche, Ardley, Glass, Nielsen, Hyde, Tommy Smith, Helguson. Subs: Vernazza, Johnson, McNamee, Foley, Lee.

Referee: H Webb (S Yorkshire)