Imran Louza has scored six goals in the last eight matches for Watford
Watford captain Imran Louza scored for the fourth time in as many games as his side frustrated Ipswich Town to secure a draw at Portman Road.
Midfielder Louza slotted home to hand the Hornets an early lead before Jaden Philogene's emphatic finish levelled matters.
Ipswich created more opportunities, the best falling to substitute Ivan Azon who headed wide and was then denied by a desperate stop from Watford goalkeeper Egil Selvik.
Marcelino Nunez also went close late on, but the visitors – who remain without an away win in the Championship this season – held on for a point.
Both teams made three changes to their winning line-ups from the weekend and two of the incoming Ipswich trio, Jens Cajuste and Chuba Akpom, combined early on for a slick move that ended with Swedish midfielder Cajuste curling narrowly wide.
It was Watford who struck first against the run of play, with Kwadwo Baah's deft backheel releasing Marc Bola on the left and his low cross deflected for Louza to tuck away from close range.
That setback failed to disrupt the home side's rhythm and they hit back six minutes later as Cedric Kipre's ball pierced the Watford defence and picked out Philogene, running on to slam first time across Selvik into the far corner.
Although Akpom forced a save from Selvik soon after the restart, it was Kieran McKenna's triple substitution that reinvigorated the home side in the final half hour, with Jack Clarke, Jack Taylor and Azon all helping to apply pressure.
Spanish forward Azon, on loan from Como, should have registered his first goal in Ipswich colours but misdirected his header after the impressive Sindre Egeli had supplied an inviting cross from the right.
Clarke's pace and delivery on the opposite flank also brought danger and he whipped over another cross for Azon, whose header found the target this time – only for Selvik to claw it away.
Watford did threaten on the break, with Mamadou Doumbia firing their best chance over the bar, but were relieved to settle for a draw after Nunez blazed over from close range in added time.
'Frustrating result' - Ipswich reaction
Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna told BBC Radio Suffolk:
"It was a frustrating result, I thought we did enough to win the game. We had our chances in the second half, we pushed on well against a team who defended their goal with a lot of desire.
"We're really frustrated with the goal we conceded. We didn't have to defend in the final third very often, we had eight or nine players back in the box and we lose a challenge and don't react quick enough.
"The reaction to the goal was excellent, that was a big positive. We didn't let the game get away from us – we stuck right at it, scored a really good goal and got to half-time in a decent spot.
"Hopefully we learned our lessons from the Charlton game here, in terms of the way we didn't let our performance slip after the goal and went straight back to doing the right things."
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'Happy with attitude' - Watford reaction
Watford head coach Javi Gracia told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"We knew Ipswich were very strong. Like us, they're one of the teams with more points playing at home, and away from home we've had difficulties this season.
"I'm happy with the attitude of my players and the spirit they showed, I think it's good for us to get this reward. I'm happy with job my defenders and the keeper did.
"We've competed, the other team was really tough and it was a demanding game. We had to defend well and be more compact at the end of the game, when they had more clear chances.
"It was similar to the goal he (Louza) scored in the last game, from the other side – another good cross and Imran arriving from the second line."
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