They didn't get the three points Bristol City deserved but it was the performance Nigel Pearson needed heading into the World Cup break.
Coming off the back of the defeat against Lincoln during the week and with City dropping to 20th in the Championship, a loss could have seen them fall into the bottom three with four weeks to dwell on it.
Pearson picked a side of players he could trust and they didn't let him down from the first whistle with the hosts playing on the front foot. There was always an expectancy that with the quality of Watford's side, the visitors would eventually have their spell in the contest.
Although it never arrived with City huffing and puffing but ultimately failing to break down a stubborn defence. It wasn't without their chances though with Tommy Conway and a superb stop by Daniel Bachmann to deny Andi Weimann from burying his header into the corner.
Once again, for the umpteenth time in the last year, City were denied two penalty shouts. One that seemed blatant when Nahki Wells went down under the challenge of a high boot before being pulled back in the area.
But like other certainties in life such as death and taxes, the referee waved play to continue to leave Pearson frustrated at the full-time whistle. The Robins now head into the break in 18th.
Here's the verdict from the hard-fought draw and a welcome opportunity to recuperate.
Hail the King
Come on, admit it. How many of you gulped when the team was announced at 2pm and Andy King was lining up in the back three against Watford's attack?
There was some relief when Slaven Bilic opted to rest Ismaila Sarr and Joao Pedro but King still have the task of going up against Keinan Davis. A lot was made of which team Pearson would opt for heading into the game - much of that debate drummed up by himself.
Following the debacle against Lincoln, Pearson said his team selection may spring one or two surprises but the decision to play King and leave Rob Atkinson on the bench was by far the biggest. You have to recall that away trip to Birmingham when City lost 3-0 in which King had a difficult day against the physicality of his opponents.
Even against Lincoln, King didn't exactly cover himself in any glory although it's unfair to single him out because every starter that evening endured a stinker. Although he's a player Pearson trusts and that faith was rewarded yesterday.
King, out of position, was superb in the middle of the three - disciplined and strong up against Davis who wasn't going to be bullied against a player who was physically dominant. He used his experience to drop a few yards deeper, knowing that if he was caught in a foot race - there would only be one winner.
All the defence deserve credit. Zak Vyner was faultless, even with the introduction of Sarr in the second half, he didn't give his opponent a sniff. Likewise with Cam Pring, the trio were organised and resilient - two adjectives that can rarely be used when it comes to City's defence for the majority of games this season.
Their dominance was evident in the stats. Watford failed to register one shot on target and had just two attempts all game with Max O'Leary able to make the most of a rare comfortable afternoon.
Whether we'll see that defensive three again this season remains to be seen but they could come out with plenty of credit, especially King who can't be written off just yet.
Nigel Pearson's position
Questions and debates over the manager's position heading into the game were entirely justified following the cup exit and disappointing run of form. Pearson's been there and done it, he knows the pressure was on heading into the game.
On Thursday, the manager said he wasn't bothered about the fact there may have been the distinct possibility of losing his job should City endure a heavy defeat against Watford. There was an air of apprehension before kick-off with all the players and coaches involved in a huddle during the warm-ups.
It felt significant but the manner of the performance would have been telling more than the result. What was abundantly clear about the game, was that the players were certainly still playing for the manager.
They covered every blade of grass and maintained the intensity up until the last whistle. With just a little more quality going forward and City would have been celebrating a deserved victory.
A defeat would have had people talking and speculating over the next four weeks about whether City should consider making the change. After all, a new manager would be handed ideal timing and preparation to work with his players, develop a system and consider any January transfer business, if it was viable.
If confidence in the manager had diminished on Tuesday, then the performance would have only improved that to some extent. Sitting 18th in the league isn't ideal and City will be anxiously looking over their shoulders as they currently sit one point above the drop zone.
There's also the fact that two wins from 14 matches remains relegation form and therefore the debate will continue until City travel to Rotherham for their next fixture on December 10. People can rightly demand a change but that draw proved that Pearson can still very much get a tune out of this group of players.
Andi Weimann back to his best?
In the summer, it was assumed that City had fixed their issue at right wing-back following last season's chopping and changing. Now it feels as though we are back to square one again for the time being.
Kane Wilson's long-term injury has proven to be a huge blow. Despite arriving with plenty of promise and seemingly the answer to the wing-back problem, his City career has been put on hold for the time being.
Mark Sykes has filled the void, and for the large part, has performed consistently well. With the number of matches crammed into the footballing calendar, making the step up from League One and playing in an unfamiliar position, it's a tough ask to compete consistently at this level.
There was no real surprise to see Weimann out at wing-back. Pearson called on the players he can trust and the Austrian was never going to let him down.
After getting himself back on the scoresheet against Middlesbrough last weekend, Weimann had the bit between his teeth. He came closest to scoring the winner when he met Jay Dasilva's cross at the back post only for his header to be superbly turned around the post.
It would have been just reward for his performance. Defensively he worked in tandem with Vyner to keep his side of the pitch quiet while pushing forward at every opportunity.
It will be intriguing to see how Pearson eyes that position going forward but after yesterday, Weimann looks set to continue in that role.
Nathan Baker's tribute
It was an incredibly touching and emotional tribute for Nathan Baker at half-time. All of City's players and coaches swiftly came out of the dressing room at half-time to form a guard of honour for the defender who was forced to retire on medical grounds following two concussions last season.
Holding his young child in his arms with his partner alongside him, Baker emerged from the Ashton Gate tunnel to a rapturous reception from the supporters who were on their feet to pay their respects to a player who gave his all for City since joining the club in 2015.
Baker was clearly touched by the sentiment as he collected a framed signed shirt presented to him by Pearson. The manager would give him a warm embrace and a word in his ear with the 31-year-old understandably emotional.
After the game, Joe Williams shared some kind words about his mate to the media and said how some of the team-mates were welling up during the tribute. So often we became so accustomed to his bruising challenges and wholehearted performances.
But there's a gentler side to Baker with his calm demeanour and approachable manner. He was clearly a very popular figure in the dressing room and among the supporters.
As Richard Gould has previously said, Baker will always be welcome at the club in some sort of capacity and no doubt we'll see him back again in the future. Yesterday's moment epitomised just how highly regarded he is at the club.
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