Town missed out on the chance to return to the top of the Championship following a 0-0 draw at home to Watford but are back to second in the table. The Blues came closest to scoring in the first half when Nathan Broadhead hit the post and Kieffer Moore saw a header from almost point-blank saved by Hornets keeper Daniel Bachmann but were less dominant after the break.

Town boss Kieran McKenna made four changes from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Norwich with Harry Clarke coming in at right-back, George Edmundson at right centre-half, Jack Taylor in the centre of midfield and Kayden Jackson wide on the right for Axel Tuanzebe, Luke Woolfenden, Massimo Luongo and Conor Chaplin, who are all dropped to the bench.

Watford made two changes from the side which drew 0-0 at home to Preston on Saturday with Mattie Pollock and Giorgi Chakvetadze coming in for Francisco Sierralta and Emmanuel Dennis.

Town had a chance within 14 seconds of the start, Jackson having been found just outside the area to the left and momentarily in space but his shot was blocked.

The opening spell was well contested with Watford’s first effort in the ninth minute, Yaser Asprilla trying to catch Vaclav Hladky off his line from not far inside the Town half but the Colombian international lifted the ball over the bar.

On 10, Moore headed well over from a Leif Davis free-kick on the left when the Wales international will feel he ought to have done better.

Town began to take full control and in the 15th minute Omari Hutchinson, playing in the central role behind Moore, was almost played in on goal on the right of the box following some sharp passing involving skipper Sam Morsy, Clarke and Moore.

Three minutes later, another well-worked move, Clarke having done well down the right, ended with Moore teeing-up Broadhead just outside the area but the Wales forward’s firmly-hit shot was too close to Hornets’ keeper Daniel Bachmann, who saved.

On 21, Hutchinson was sent flying by an off-the-ball bodycheck by Ryan Porteous in the centre circle as Moore ran towards the area on the left before being dispossessed. Referee Sam Barrott stopped play to allow the on-loan Chelsea man to undergo treatment and then spoke to Porteous but without giving a foul or issuing a card. Hutchinson was OK to carry on.

The Jamaica international appeared stung into action by the incident and in the 25th minute he skipped into the right of the area past two defenders before his low cross was cut out.

In the 28th minute, Morsy sent Jackson away on the right behind Porteous and the former Accrington man crossed low towards the near post from where Moore shot not too far wide.

On the half hour, the wideman was sent away again but this time his cross was too long. Town were on top but yet to create the chance which would give them the lead.

Three minutes later, Clarke was shown the game’s first yellow card for a foul on Chakvetadze just inside the Town half.

Edmundson cut out the free-kick but then his pass to Morsy gave the ball back to Watford not far outside the area and Jamal Lewis eventually looped a cross into Hladky’s hands at the far post.

In the 36th minute, Broadhead turned his man and drove towards the area before hitting a shot which again had power but was once more straight at Bachmann.

The Wales international went much closer to breaking the deadlock two minutes later when he dug out a shot from the edge of the area and beat Bachmann low to the keeper’s left but struck the inside of the post. The ball bounced agonisingly across the face of goal before being cleared.

Town were by now wholly dominant with the crowd sensing a goal might come at any time.

And the Blues threatened again on 38, a low Jackson cross from the right reaching Taylor on the edge of the box but the former Peterborough midfielder’s effort struck Broadhead in front of him with the Welshman trying desperately to get out of his way.

Three minutes later, Taylor played a free-kick to Morsy 35 yards out and the Egyptian international brought it forward before hitting a shot which was too close to Bachmann, who saved.

The Austrian keeper was forced into a much better stop on 43, somehow blocking a powerful point-blank Moore header and pushing it round the post after Clarke had stood the ball up from the right.

That was to prove the best and last chance of a half from which the Blues ought to have gone in in front having been well in charge for the most part and having had a number of good opportunities.

Broadhead will have been disappointed to have shot too close to the keeper on a couple of occasions before he hit the post, then Moore will wonder how Bachmann saved his header which looked a certain goal. At the other end, Watford had been unable to manage a shot on target.

Watford saw most of the ball in the early stages of the second half but without threatening and twice playing straight out of play. The throw-in resulting from the second wayward pass was taken quickly by Davis to Broadhead, who sent the left-back away down the flank but his cross was too close to Bachmann.

On 52, Town broke following a Hornets attack through Hutchinson but the youngster’s cross-field ball was too long. Davis retrieved it but his cross was again too close to Bachmann.

Within a minute, Broadhead sent over a cross-shot which Bachmann again claimed under his bar, the keeper stumbling a little as he did so, momentarily getting fans off their seats.

In the 55th minute Morsy scuffed wide from distance with Town starting to take control again and with the crowd upping the volume. Two minutes later, Moore was booked for a foul on Tom Dele-Bashiru on halfway.

Watford, however, continued to see more of the ball and on the hour, Asprilla struck their first shot on target from the edge of the box to the right which Hladky saved but didn’t hold, Edmundson clearing the loose ball.

On 63, following a Hornets corner, Lewis blazed deep into the Sir Alf Ramsey Stand. Town made their first three changes ahead of the goal-kick, Taylor, Jackson and Broadhead making way for Conor Chaplin, Massimo Luongo and Jeremy Sarmiento. Hutchinson moved to the right to allow Chaplin into the central role.

Following the substitutions, Watford continued to have most of the possession but without further threatening Hladky’s goal.

Porteous was shown the Hornets’ first yellow card of the evening in the 67th minute for crudely bringing down Hutchinson after the Chelsea loanee had turned away from him and was about to break away down the right.

Watford made their first change on 71, Ismael Kone coming on for Chakvetadze, before the Blues switched Moore for Ali Al-Hamadi.

The Hornets were still on top with Town unable to restore their first-half control, Kone seeing a shot blocked on the edge of the box.

On 79 the Blues were forced into another change when Edmundson went down a few minutes after first suffering a knock when fouled by Vakoun Bayo. Woolfenden took over at right centre-half.

In the 85th minute, a Morsy free-kick from the right was half-cleared to Luongo, whose volley was blocked and Sarmiento was prevented from getting in a subsequent effort before the visitors finally managed to clear.

A minute later, with the Town pressure and crowd noise increasing, Sarmiento played in Al-Hamadi on the right of the box and a Watford defender slid in to make an important block with the striker’s shot looking on target.

The fourth official’s board indicated four additional minutes with the Blues in the ascendency and looking to create the chance which would take them back to the top.

A minute into added-time, Luongo played a clever ball in for Chaplin, who left it for Morsy but the ball was just taken away from the skipper.

Watford almost won it in an extraordinary manner in the final seconds, Edo Kayembe spotting Hladky out of his goal after the Blues had lost possession and lashing a shot from beyond halfway which the keeper did very well to get back to save and palm for a corner, which was the last action of the match.

A frustrating night for the Blues, who really should have had the game sewn up by half-time having had more than enough chances. Broadhead was unfortunate with his effort against the post, while Bachmann made a superb stop from Moore.

The Hornets were an improved outfit after the break and Town, drawing 0-0 for only the third time this season, struggled to create chances. The substitutions as always saw the Blues step things up but Watford remained resolute and there were few if any clear-cut opportunities.

But a point takes Town, who host Middlesbrough at Portman Road on Saturday, back into the top two ahead of Leeds by a point and behind Leicester on goal difference, although with the Foxes having a game in hand.

Town: Hladky, Clarke, Edmundson (Woolfenden 79), Burgess, Davis, Morsy (c), Taylor (Luongo 63), Jackson (Chaplin 63), Hutchinson, Broadhead (Sarmiento 63), Moore (Al-Hamadi 71). Unused: Walton, Woolfenden, Tuanzebe, Travis, Harness.

Watford: Bachmann, Hoedt (c), Porteous, Lewis, Pollock, Chakvetadze (Kone 71), Asprilla (Ince 93), Bayo (Dennis 86), Dele-Bashiru, Kayembe, Andrews. Unused: Hamer, Sierrata, Livermore, Rajovic, Kone, Martins, Morris. Referee: Sam Barrott (West Riding). Att 28,589.

Photo: Matchday Images

TimmyH added 22:49 - Apr 10 Middlesbrough in my opinion will be tougher than tonight...they can raise their game but have been just too inconsistent particularly at the start of the season - I would have taken the win tonight and settle for a draw on Saturday but who knows what will happen...I certainly wouldn't have Leicester/Leeds and ourselves at short odds on the betting coupons anymore whoever they play.

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Gforce added 22:54 - Apr 10 Would be great if we could get Burns and Hirst back in the squad,for the last 2/3 games.Fresh legs for the final run in,could be pivotal at this stage of the season,especially as others have said,we are starting to look a bit tired in recent games.
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yorkieblue62 added 22:57 - Apr 10 The 2 weeks off after the Boro game could be priceless if we could get one or both of Burns and Hurst ready to play a part and they would be vital if we end up in the agony / lottery of the play offs.
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warktheline added 23:00 - Apr 10 Blueboy, you constantly look for negativity since Evans was dethroned! So you ‘liked’ a post labelling our boys as ‘bottle jobs’…how insulting with all things considered and yeah, pathetic!
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jon_talbot56 added 23:00 - Apr 10 I can’t move for my bum squeaking. l sat next to a bloke (Scot) who had come down from Aberdeenshire and brought his little four year old son. I promised a return to his usual football poison- the improbably named Inverurie Loco Works.
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churchmans added 23:11 - Apr 10 Dissapointing not to capitalise but after reflection we played well,liked the line up and a point gained! Still in our hands! I think Moore has gone really flat lately! Anyone else think that?
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Edmundo added 00:08 - Apr 11 Agree Churchmans. We need Hirst back. Would be Christmas come early if both him and Wes magically appear on the team sheet on Saturday. OK, maybe wishful thinking... Hull. COYB it's in our hands!!!
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algarvefan added 00:28 - Apr 11 Let's be honest here, neither Ipswich, Leeds or Leicester have been at their best since that international break, add in the pressure of 3 teams fighting for 2 spots and the performances have been understandable. It's gonna be a tough bumpy run in guys and I wouldn't like to call the end result. Currently promotion is in our hands, just, but no matter what happens I have really enjoyed watching all of Towns games this season, lets hope we can go out with a bang and keep second spot, that'll do me!!!!

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VanDusen added 01:34 - Apr 11 After initially cursing the Coventry postponement, it's now looking as tho it could be one final piece of luck as these boys could do with a rest to get to full fitness before one final push - and with no internationals. Plus we will go into that week roughly knowing what we need to do as Leeds will be down to their final game before we start and we'll have a game on Leicester too. That could work for or against us depending on what the others do, but imagine if Leeds lose to Midds in the interim knowing they have a potentially still-hanging-in-there-by-a-thread Soton to play (who in beating Leics have also left them not entirely certain against a potentially relegate-able Blackburn?... The permutations are endless. Whether we go up or not this is a season for the ages - something we've not had for 20 years. Thank you Kieran and everyone connected with this ever-remarkable football club.

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Granthamblue62 added 01:35 - Apr 11 Its seems churlish to be critical after such an amazing season. However, we appear completely spent and running on empty. My concern is that we appear to be running out of steam at a time when we absolutely need to be on top form. Sadly, I think we will fall short and end up playing them lot in the play-offs. Absolute nightmare scenario!
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VanDusen added 01:36 - Apr 11 Also what price that Hladky save in the dying seconds ends up being such a pivotal moment...
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Minneapolis_ITFC added 03:31 - Apr 11 Another Blankety Blank. Too many more of these, the only thing the team will win this season is a checkbook and pen. Can't hide disappointment in successive failures to win or take only 1 point from an available 6 but we've provided such a platform with games remaining the auto promotion objective is still very much within reach. Nearest rivals dropping points was crucial but we really shouldn't be so dependant on others. It's a shame we got games coming up against teams really needing wins themselves, makes our job twice as hard to get out the league but when you add it all up it's been easily the best season in 20 years plus and we've become an established club name once again. After years of embarrassment and disarray we've put together an exciting team set-up on the verge of once again accomplishment. Previous ownership and managers very nearly sent us into oblivion so guess count your blessings and enjoy what's going on at the club right now. One point from tonight seems inadequate given the nature of opposition with a home advantage but in fact Watford came close to stealing it late on and on the basis of the second period at least, seemed to show character and we were made to battle for it.

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ThaiBlue added 05:50 - Apr 11 Think the pressure is getting to all 3 teams at the top not 1 goal scored by any of them.we were flat tonight also the crowd.we will beat Boro Saturday and have a breather for a bit which could come in handy.
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martin587 added 06:10 - Apr 11 The finishing line is almost there and the nerves are starting to show for all three teams.The point will do we’re in second place with four games to go.All down to the final game I think.Hang in there lads your doing fantastic.
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Saxonblue74 added 06:21 - Apr 11 Agree that Moore looks a little tired, but is it really surprising with the few weeks he's had for club and Country? The 2 week break will be crucial for him as even if Hirst does make it before the season is out there's no way he'll hit the ground running after such a long period out.
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Dissboyitfc added 07:02 - Apr 11 A win on sat and we stay 2nd. Cant believe some people( wont call them fans) are calling us bottle jobs, those people need to give their heads a little wobble, we are 2nd FFS! I dont think a team that score so many late important goals can be described as having a bottle job mentality, in fact quite the opposite! I had a feeling after the derby at Portman road that we would next beat them in the playoffs, i told my Norwich supporting work colleagues that our next victory is coming in what will be particularly painful circumstances! Of course i would prefer automatic! One more thing, most of the so called experts who post on here would have settled for a position of safety at this stage of the season, yet dont seem to appreciate just how well we are doing!

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rugbytomc added 07:59 - Apr 11 I’ve no doubt McKenna will pick the team up but I’m feeling a bit flat still after that. 3 shots straight at the keeper and hit the post-by half time I thought we smelt blood but it wasn’t to be. Our squad depth or lack thereof is showing. Some really tired legs out there having to start the game. Glad we have a 2 week rest after Saturday. Jackson is a trier-god loves a trier-but Burns or Davis he is not and his final ball is always hopeful but not well placed or intentional. Luongo looks knackered and Taylor et al just aren’t cutting it (might have been different had Broady not blocked his shot!) I love chappers but does Hutchinson start at 10 every game now? Positives-Clarke had a great game and we were in control most of the match. Just missing Burns and Hirst Fingers crossed for some more energy and a win on Saturday. Ultimately win our last games and we’re up (dare to dream?!)

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petermorris added 08:28 - Apr 11 Armaghblue — I up voted you accidentally. Your comment is ridiculous.
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Lukeybluey added 08:30 - Apr 11 Can't win them all, just couldnt score the decisive goal. Watford looked a decent side to be fair, very technical and pacy, think a draw was a fair result in the end. On to Saturday, will again get behind the lads, bring the points home before the international break.
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johnwarksshorts added 08:32 - Apr 11 I like any other town supporter wish for promotion, hopefully automatic. Just to have the chance to say that is amazing when you consider where we were pre McKenna era. We have massively over achieved. 2nd in Championship after 42 games on 88 points what a fantastic journey we're on. SO PROUD OF THIS TEAM.
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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 08:55 - Apr 11 I must have been watching another match. I thought that we chased and harried and played well against a good team, albeit lacking that final spark that has seen us put the ball in the net so many times this season. Yes, one or two players looked off the pace, but there was no lack of effort. We could easily have scored at the end and everyone would be happy. The ball just didn't run for us this time. All the games from now on will be mega difficult, but we still have a chance, and we have K McK. COYB!

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MBG added 09:03 - Apr 11 The result was slightly disappointing but Watford are tricky opponents and the one point means it's still in our hands. Leicester and Leeds dropped points when their fixtures looked easier so we've gained in relative terms. Also in our favour, Southampton are still alive and they'll be desperate to win when they travel to Leicester and might still have a mathematical chance when they go to Leeds on the last day of the season. After Middlesbrough we have challenging away games at Hull and Coventry but we will have had a much needed two week break before then and we might have Burns and Hirst back. When we play Coventry it will be our game in hand and we'll know exactly what result we need. For Coventry it will be their fourth game in ten days with one of those matches having been the FA Cup semi-final so they'll be tired and maybe flat. There are endless permutations but the bottom line is that it's in our hands and the way the fixtures have lined up helps us.

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atty added 09:31 - Apr 11 Just think if we had been able to field a decent replacement for Hirst during that 11 game winless streak. Just say 3 or 4 wins. Lapado was never going to be the answer, and he was shipped out anyway. We eventually got Moore in and we were off again! KMc is wedded to the system and good all around target man is a crucial part of it. Some foresight at the beginning of the season would have helpful.

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:17 - Apr 11 think the stonking season is catching up with the lads and half expected it to, we have seen top 4 slugging it out since start. All have shown signs of wilting past couple of weeks. Shame we just couldnt crack Watford last night but we are not done yet. The remaining games will be hard too, imo Leeds seem to have the edge on the run in Leicester are struggling to get over the line like us. Fingers crossed we can get enough out of the players in remaining games to get us up.Still some twists and turns to come i think. COYB, LETS DO IT . As much as most of us [i think] would have been happy to see us in playoffs when we came up, i really dont fancy the prospect now its staring us in the face .

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dirtydingusmagee added 10:34 - Apr 11 Blueboy your poke at Warktheline was childish AND unwarranted ,just looking for a reaction to start an argument . GROW UP .
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