Burnley dominated the early exchanges but neither side could carve out any clear openings, with Maxwel Cornet and Dale Stephens both spurning half chances.

Watford, however, grew into the game and almost scored when Ben Mee diverted the ball into the direction of his own net from an opposition corner, but danger was averted after Aaron Lennon cleared off the line.

The visitors continued to push forward and had a penalty appeal turned down in first half stoppage time after a volley from Ken Sema caught the outstretched arm of Burnley’s Connor Roberts.

In a game devoid of genuine quality, Burnley came closest through Wout Weghorst when the Dutchman’s deflected shot hit the bar early in the second half before the Watford frontline forced Nick Pope into a number of decent saves late in the game.