Watford were relieved to gain a share of the spoils from a game that had seen the home team do the vast majority of the attacking.
The visitors had only four shots on goal and they won a solitary corner while Rotherham had 11 but were unable to make anything of them.
The home team almost took the lead in the first minute when Kevin Watson's free-kick was headed on by Rob Scott and when Guy Branston lashed the ball home he thought he had scored but his strike was ruled out for offside.
But it was Gianluca Vialli's side who took the lead somewhat against the run of play in the 17th minute.
Debutant Jermaine Pennant's cross from the right was inadvertently headed into his own goal by Rotherham defender Chris Swailes under pressure from Gifton Noel-Williams.
Twice Rotherham midfielder John Mullin came close with good shots but Alec Chamberlain kept both of them out.
Just before the interval Rotherham piled on the pressure, winning a succession of corners and in the 42nd minute they had a great chance to equalise.
Watson played the ball through to Richie Barker but Chamberlain was again the saviour, keeping out his shots.
Three minutes into the second half Watford almost increased their lead but Mike Pollitt saved superbly from Noel-Williams' close-range shot.
That was the signal for Rotherham to step up the pressure again and they were rewarded with a 59th-minute equaliser.
Andy Monkhouse fed the ball through to Barker who scored with a shot from just inside the penalty area.
Seven minutes later Barker might have found the net again but he was denied by Chamberlain as Rotherham dictated the play.
But they failed to turn their chances into goals and had to settle for a point when really their display deserved a better reward.
Teams
Rotherham: Pollitt, Scott, Swailes, Branston, Hurst,
Sedgwick (Robins 77), Watson, Mullin, Monkhouse,
Richard Barker, Warne.
Subs Not Used: Gray, Daws, Talbot, Beech.
Booked: Monkhouse, Richard Barker.
Goals: Richard Barker 59.
Watford: Chamberlain, Cox, Blondeau, Vega, Doyley, Nielsen,
Vernazza (Hyde 72), Pennant, Gayle (Smith 76), Noel-Williams,
Okon.
Subs Not Used: Baardsen, Galli, Glass.
Booked: Vega, Cox.
Goals: Swailes 17 og.
Att: 6,409
Ref: B Curson (Walsall).
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