Neither side were able to find the breakthrough as Blackburn Rovers held Watford to a goalless draw at half time at Vicarage Road.
On-loan Ben Watson went close for the home side when he fired in a long-range effort that flew just over, and it was the Hornets who looked the most likely to break the deadlock in the opening exchanges.
Jordan Rhodes fired a half-chance for Rovers, but his volley rose too high above the angle of the goalpost.
Watford were shouting for a penalty when Troy Deeney went down after a coming together with a Blackburn defender, but referee Andrew Madley was unmoved.
