Watford’s last game before the World Cup break was a pretty dull affair as they played out a goalless draw at struggling Bristol City.

It took the Hornets until the last 10 minutes to muster a goal attempt, and they didn’t manage an on-target effort all game.

Bachmann made one excellent save at the other end but it was a game of few chances, and lots of errors.

Towards the end Gosling was stretchered off with what looked a bad injury after he slipped and fell awkwardly, and that sort of luck summed the game up.

The break can’t come soon after enough after this poor afternoon’s fare, and it’ll be a game easily forgotten when play restarts in December.

The Hornets put both Pedro and Sarr on the bench to prevent aggravating injuries that stopped them starting.

Kamara returned to the starting line-up after suspension, while Kalu made his first start of the season and Gaspar also returned to the starting line-up.

The first half never got going at all. Conway hit a low skidding shot straight at Bachmann after four minutes as that was the only on-target attempt of the first 45 minutes.

The home side should have done better after nine minutes when Wells broke down the right and crossed to the unmarked Conway, but he headed over.

The Robins appealed unsuccessfully twice, first when Wells got a boot to the head in the box and then he went down under a challenge from Troost-Ekong, but referee Mr Webb was well placed both times and said no.

Five minutes the break Wells crossed from the right but Weimann's header fell tamely to Bachmann, and that was it in terms of chances as the Hornets register a single attempt on goal in the first half.

With nothing improving, Watford sent on Pedro and Sarr for Kalu and Gosling nine minutes after the break.

In the 65th minute a long clearance from a Watford attack allowed Conway to get behind the defence and raced clear towards Bachmann. Troost-Ekong and Kabasele chased him and he drifted to the left before dragging a shot across the face of goal and just wide of the back post.

Three minutes later a cross from the left was met by Weimann and his downwards header was tipped round the base of the post by Bachmann.

Gosling had to be stretchered off after 81 minutes, after he had slipped and fell awkwardly.

Two minutes later Watford mustered their first goal attempt when Bayo volleyed a cross way over the bar. The striker also sent a late header wide but that was as good as it got.

Watford: Bachmann, Gaspar (Pedro 54), Choudhury, Troost-Ekong, Davis, Sema (Bayo 74), Kamara, Gosling (Cathcart 81), Kabasele, Kalu (Sarr 54), Kayembe. Subs: Okoye, Cathcart, Bayo, Dele-Bashiru, Sierralta