Bristol City 0-0 Watford: Robins winless in five after Hornets stalemate
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Bristol City's Andreas Weimann (right) went close to breaking the deadlock at Ashton Gate
Bristol City's winless run stretched to five games as they fought out a goalless draw with Watford at Ashton Gate.
The Robins enjoyed the better of the contest but were unable to find a way past visiting keeper Daniel Bachmann.
The Austria international thwarted Andreas Weimann twice to ensure a point for the improving Hornets.
Watford move up to fourth in the table, while the Robins' point lifts them two places to 18th.
City, who went into the game with just one win in their previous six home fixtures, created the better opportunities in the first half.
Tommy Conway looked lively for the home side, going close with a header from Nahki Wells' cross.
The experienced forward also set up Weimann, who forced Bachmann into a save.
Having watched his side offer little in attack, Watford boss Slaven Bilic reacted with a double change soon after the restart, introducing joint-top scorers Joao Pedro and Ismaila Sarr off the bench.
However, neither substitution produced a significant impact as City continued to look the more likely side to break the deadlock.
Bachmann produced his best save midway through the second period, diving at full stretch to claw another Weimann header wide from Alex Scott's cross.
Watford were forced to make further changes late in the game as midfielder Dan Gosling was taken off on a stretcher off with an Achilles injury.
Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson told BBC Radio Bristol:
"We were the better side. We couldn't find the winning goal but in terms of application and approach to the game, I think we were very positive.
"Today we needed the right players on the pitch and they were able to deal with playing against a good side who we made look very ordinary.
"We've pushed Watford right to the edge and their goalkeeper's made one absolutely outstanding save to keep them in it.
"If we play like that every week, we'll win a damn sight more than we draw, that's for sure."
Watford head coach Slaven Bilic told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"It was a big battle and a good away point.
"Sometimes when you don't play so good against a home team that is aggressive and the crowd smells it, you are very likely to lose the game.
"On the ball we were nowhere near good enough, like we were in most of the games we've played so far. But we showed spirit, we showed character.
"They passed the ball better, but they didn't create a lot and we limited them with that one chance, the header when Daniel (Bachmann) made a great save."