An archetypal game of two halves saw a Watford XI draw 0-0 with St Albans City at Clarence Park this afternoon.

The Hornets had controlled the match before the break and came closest through Sean Murray's drive, in a half of few chances at their National League South opponents.

But with the introduction of ex-Watford man Matt Whichelow as the teams re-emerged, the Saints took the game by the scruff of the neck and could have won it, forcing a number of smart saves from the trialist in the Hornets' goal.

Under-21 manager Harry Kewell was in the dugout for Watford alongside new assistant Hayden Mullins, as the Hornets controlled possession from the off, without often threatening a resolute home Saints defence.

Five minutes in, Alex Jukibiak robbed the ball from Andrew Iwediuno on the edge of the St Albans box and fed Ola Adeyemo, but he fired over when well placed.

Both sides threatened to create chances in the opening stages, but lacked the ingenuity to fashion any clear-cut opportunities.

The nearest either came after Jukibiak's early effort was from the same man again, who looked the most dangerous player on the pitch.

Andrew Eleftheriou fed him down the right and with the striker ready to pull the trigger, Iwediuno took a chance to slide in inside the box - but his tackle was inch perfect to deflect the ball behind.

St Albans were finding themselves in good positions, but the trialist in the Watford goal remained untroubled before out of nothing, they almost carved out a goal right on the half-hour mark.

Last season's top scorer Louis Theophanous drifted in from the left past Eleftheriou, who had struggled defensively, but his cross-cum-shot was cleared before it could be turned in.

Watford went even closer minutes later from a well-worked move. Sean Murray let Eleftheriou's throw drop over his shoulder, before turning and volleying at the St Albans goal from a tight angle.

His effort was well struck, but James Russell in the Saints net was always favourite to save it, and he gathered at the second attempt in what ended up the final chance of the half.

Five minutes after the break Connor Stevens was forced off with a leg injury and seconds later the ball fell for Saints substitute and former Watford youngster Whichelow 20 yards out.

His first-time shot forced a diving save out of the Watford trialist keeper, who diverted the ball over.

Chances were beginning to materialise - mostly for the hosts - with Whichelow at the heart of their improvement.

From a similar position to his first strike, he again came close when shooting through the legs of Essaid Belkalem, but ended inches wide of the far post.

And even closer was to follow, as captain Theophanous' header from a corner whistled past the same woodwork for the revitalised Saints.

Three close shaves turned into four when the trialist keeper, who had little opportunity to show his credentials before the break, was again called upon on the hour mark to keep out Shaun Lucien's strike.

A rare Watford chance looked to catch home keeper Russell off guard, but Murray's quickly-taken free kick sailed wide.

They had seen precious little of the ball in the final third since half time, but looked certain to take an undeserved lead with 20 minutes to go.

One of their two second-half trialists received the ball on the left and bent it just beyond the post, when he should at least have forced a save.

Both sides would finish a man down when Watford substitute Max Ryan was unable to continue and the substitutes bench already empty, they played on with 10 men.

In sporting spirit, St Albans followed suit and withdrew Theophanous to rebalance the teams.

But despite a last-gasp chance for Watford substitute Obi, who was denied by Triviano's darting run from his line, St Albans held firm for a draw they at worst deserved, but on their second-half showing perhaps could have won.

Watford: Trialist (Thomas 68); Eleftheriou, Stevens (Huja 50), Belkalem, Trialist (Ryan 67); Murray, Ovenden (Trialist HT) Stewart, Pereira (Trialist HT); Jakubiak (Obi HT), Adeyemo (Folivi HT).