Watford 0-0 Preston North End: Hornets held at home as play-off bid stalls
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Preston kept Watford at arm's length for most of the goalless encounter
Watford's play-off bid suffered a further blow as they were held to a goalless draw at home by Preston.
The Hornets' best chance came mid-way through the second half as Ismaila Sarr volleyed just wide from a Ken Sema cross.
Joao Pedro and substitute Keinan Davis also saw efforts well saved by Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman but it was an immensely frustrating afternoon for the Hornets.
Preston could have pinched victory with Alvaro Fernandez and Ched Evans forcing first-half saves from Daniel Bachmann.
They also appealed for a second-half penalty when Troy Parrott was played through on goal but referee Gavin Ward thought Ryan Porteous's challenge was fair.
A point for Preston keeps them in 12th place and still eight points outside the play-offs.
Watford's challenge has slipped alarmingly and they have now won only two of their last nine matches - but remain only four points behind Norwich in sixth.
A dire first half saw the home side booed off at the break after only one effort on goal and a penalty appeal when Sarr went down under a challenge as he chased a ball into the box.
The hosts improved after the break and Yaser Asprilla cut inside from the right and created space for a shot only to send his effort high and wide.
Asprilla later found Davis, who laid a ball off for Pedro to shoot, but his effort also ended up in the stand behind the goal.
Watford manager Slaven Bilic told BBC Radio Three Counties:
"We are disappointed with the result but not exactly with the performance - we kept a clean sheet and they didn't threaten us at all.
"We had desire but it's not enough because at the moment we are simply not creating enough chances.
"They are not conceding many goals but I expected us to create a bit more today."
Preston manager Ryan Lowe told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"We knew we had to be solid and resolute today and from minute one our game plan was fantastic.
"We had a couple of chances and on another day we might have scored.
"We proved we're a good team on our day and we just didn't have that cutting edge to put it in the back of the net today."