Chris Bedia celebrates his fortunate goal for Hull City but their lead was short-lived
Bottom side Hull City's hopes of claiming a win in Ruben Selles' first game in charge were dashed by Rocco Vata's late equaliser for Watford.
Substitute Chris Bedia's fortuitous goal looked to have given the Tigers three points when Marvin Mehlem's miscued effort deflected in off the Ivorian's hand.
However, the visitors equalised when Kwadwo Baah was given too much space to progress down the right wing and his low cross was swept home by fellow sub Vata.
The draw leaves Hull without a win in 12 matches, although it does at least put an end to their run of five successive losses.
Selles was appointed as Tim Walter's successor on Friday but watched Saturday's defeat by Blackburn from the stands and will be under no illusions about the size of the task that he faces to turn their fortunes around.
The Tigers are just one point adrift of safety but are without a win since 1 October.
After a largely uneventful first half, things opened up after the break, with Giorgi Chakvetadze curling a well-hit effort just over the crossbar for the visitors before Tigers forward Joao Pedro forced a low save from Daniel Bachmann.
Selles brought Bedia on in the 73rd minute and he put the home side ahead in contentious circumstances nine minutes later.
Abu Kamara's cross fell into the path of Mehlem and the German's mis-hit shot hit the striker on the hand, leaving Bachmann rooted to the spot.
The Tigers could not hold on for what would have been just a second home victory of the season and teenager Vata scored his first goal for the Hornets since his summer switch from Celtic with a cool finish.
Tom Cleverley's side host fellow play-off hopefuls West Bromwich Albion on Sunday, while Selles' men travel to Coventry on Saturday.
Hull boss Ruben Selles talks to BBC Radio Humberside's Mike White after his first match in charge
Hull City boss Ruben Selles told BBC Radio Humberside:
"We wanted to see a team that is aggressive and front-footed and I think in a lot of moments we saw that.
"We started the second half well, we controlled the game and scored the goal but unfortunately at the end we conceded.
"I thought we had done enough to get the three points when we scored. In my position I can't get too caught up in the emotions.
"I want to see a team playing together and playing to our ideas and principles. I think the players did really well for the time that we have been together."
Watford boss Tom Cleverley told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"It feels like a point gained under the circumstances.
"We couldn't change the momentum in the second half so I'm really pleased with the players' character to take a point after going behind."
On subs Baah and Vata: "Those two players are fantastic impact players to bring on. I've challenged them to do the not-so-sexy part of the job now and that will get them in the team. They showed desire tonight.
"Rocco has won us a point and I'm really happy for him."
