Preston North End 0-0 Watford: Hosts in fourth scoreless draw from five as Hornets move second
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Clear chances were at a premium at Deepdale, with just six efforts on target throughout
Preston North End played out a fourth goalless draw in five Championship games against a Watford side who also continued their unbeaten start to the season.
Watford's Daniel Bachmann was the busier of the two keepers but on the one occasion he was beaten, he was saved by the woodwork, Ryan Ledson seeing a long-range shot rebound off the foot off the post in the first half.
Vakoun Bayo was at the heart of the visitors' best moments but had one strike well blocked and was also denied by Preston keeper Freddie Woodman when through on goal.
The second half saw even less goalmouth action but Bachmann did have to make an impressive save to thwart Alan Browne and ensure the Hornets moved up to second in the table.
North End are yet to concede a goal in the league this term, keeping a clean sheet in their opening five matches of a season for the first time in the club's history.
Despite only scoring one at the other end, they are three points behind new leaders Sheffield United.
Watford are also developing a miserly streak in defence, having conceded just two goals in their five games so far.
But for Bachmann, North End could easily have had all three points. The goalkeeper made a wonderful first-half save to stop Browne's powerful volley and also kept out long-range strikes by Troy Parrott and Ledson.
At the other end Brad Potts, scorer of Preston's only league goal so far this season, made a fine block to deflect Bayo's close-range effort over the bar while Woodman was forced to save with his right leg when the Ivory Coast striker was through one-on-one.
Albanian striker Rey Manaj, on his full debut after his summer move from Barcelona, also squandered a glorious chance after being sent clear and Bayo went close as Watford finished strongly.
Preston boss Ryan Lowe:
"Watford are all big, strong lads - you don't play in the Premier League for nothing. I know they've come down, but I thought we handled ourselves fantastically well.
"There was a few moments which were a little bit scary in terms of their quality, but more importantly for us to keep playing the way we are on a weekly basis is pleasing.
"The only frustration is we haven't scored to give our fans something to sing about - they've been great. We've had seven points out of five league games, we would have loved nine or 10, 11 or 12.
"We're just lacking that little bit of quality in front of goal and, once we get that, whether it ricochets off a body or a head, whatever way it comes, I'm sure we'll move on up."
Watford manager Rob Edwards:
"It was a hard-earned point that could have been three. Preston have shown they are very difficult to score against, but the thing is, maybe we could have taken one of our three or four big chances that we did have.
"I think they're good players and we would expect them, on another day, to put those away.
"And they know that as well, because they're good players and we've got to demand high standards. When you get those sorts of chances, you need to punish teams.
"Our goalkeeper has made some good saves as well, so if you don't win it, make sure you don't lose."