Watford captain Craig Cathcart spurned their clearest chance of the match
Bristol City and Watford extended their unbeaten Championship runs to four games apiece after a goalless draw at Ashton Gate.
The Hornets controlled the first half without testing home goalkeeper Daniel Bentley - Craig Cathcart heading their best opening wide at the back post from James Garner's whipped cross.
Vladimir Ivic's visitors, who were without three unnamed players who have tested positive for coronavirus, tailed off in the second half as City forward Antoine Semenyo looked the most likely to make something happen.
His low cross was tipped out of Famara Diedhiou's path by Watford keeper Ben Foster before the 20-year-old bent wide from a tight angle, and Foster was again called into action in stoppage time to tip over Tommy Rowe's scuffed effort.
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The point leaves Dean Holden's Robins third, three points behind leaders Norwich, with Watford a point further back in fifth.
Though a decent enough watch, it took 74 minutes for the game's first shot on target to materialise, as Domingos Quina's clean strike was beaten away by Bentley after a mistake from City defender Jay Dasilva.
But it was a match of half-chances between two sides occupying play-off places, with the home side keeping a third consecutive clean sheet.
Watford have now lost only once in their past 12 trips to Bristol City, though their three players with Covid-19 are self-isolating and will also miss their next two games against Preston and Nottingham Forest.
Bristol City boss Dean Holden told BBC Radio Bristol:
"First half was a game of limited chances - I thought we had a real good structure to the way we set up.
"To be honest I think second half we were the better team - we had chances and if we were a little bit more clinical in those moments we could've won the game.
"You can't ask any more of the players, they're giving anything and it was a good performance against a really top team."
Watford head coach Vladimir Ivic told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I believe that we played with energy, possession, lots of movement and this is something we want.
We showed a good reaction after losing the ball and good pressure - this is something we need to continue, to work on and improve this part of the game.
"We created three or four good chances and the best chance of the game, from Domingos Quina."
- Line-upsMatch StatsLive Text
Line-upsBristol City
- 1Bentley26Vyner23Moore25Rowe2Hunt11O'Dowda4Nagy10Paterson3Dasilva18SemenyoSubstituted forWellsat 87'minutes9DiédhiouSubstituted forMartinat 78'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Martin12O'Leary19Mariappa21Wells27Edwards29Brunt34Towler42Massengo
Watford
- 1Foster3NgakiaSubstituted forTroost-Ekongat 82'minutes27Kabasele15Cathcart21FemenÃa23Sarr14Chalobah16Garner20Quina18GraySubstituted forDeeneyat 66'minutes10João PedroSubstituted forPericaat 88'minutes
Substitutes
- 5Troost-Ekong6Wilmot9Deeney25Perica26Bachmann31Sierralta32Navarro49Crichlow52Phillips
Referee:Dean WhitestoneMatch StatsHome TeamBristol CityAway TeamWatfordPossessionHome36%Away64%ShotsHome9Away7Shots on TargetHome2Away1CornersHome5Away8FoulsHome15Away10Live TextPost update
Match ends, Bristol City 0, Watford 0.
90'+4'Full Time
Second Half ends, Bristol City 0, Watford 0.
90'+4'Post update
Attempt missed. Taylor Moore (Bristol City) right footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Tommy Rowe following a corner.
90'+3'Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Domingos Quina.
90'+2'Post update
Troy Deeney (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+2'Post update
Foul by Taylor Moore (Bristol City).
90'+2'Post update
Attempt blocked. Tommy Rowe (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Jamie Paterson with a cross.
90'+2'Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Ben Foster.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt saved. Tommy Rowe (Bristol City) right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the top left corner.
90'+2'Post update
Attempt blocked. Chris Martin (Bristol City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Callum O'Dowda with a cross.
90'+1'Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Craig Cathcart.
89'Post update
Foul by Christian Kabasele (Watford).
89'Post update
Daniel Bentley (Bristol City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
88'Substitution
Substitution, Watford. Stipe Perica replaces João Pedro.
88'Post update
Corner, Watford. Conceded by Taylor Moore.
87'Substitution
Substitution, Bristol City. Nahki Wells replaces Antoine Semenyo.
86'Post update
Attempt blocked. James Garner (Watford) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
84'Post update
Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
84'Post update
Foul by Callum O'Dowda (Bristol City).
83'Post update
Corner, Bristol City. Conceded by Kiko FemenÃa.
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Source: bbc.com