A goalless draw was not much use to either side as Oxford battle against relegation and Watford bid to halt their slide away from the play-off zone.

The visitors, who had not lost on their previous 11 visits to the Manor Ground, were the better side in the first half but twice squandered one-on-one chances with United goalkeeper Paul Gerrard.

Oxford dominated the second half until the last five minutes but with top scorer Dean Windass no longer at the club their chronic lack of firepower in front of goal cost them the chance of a valuable win.

But in the last five minutes it took a magnificent tackle by Mark Watson and an excellent save by Gerrard from substitute Johann Gudmondsson to deny Watford a late winner.

Gerrard's first crucial save stopped Nick Wright in the 21st minute. Gerrard, well outside the penalty area, managed to get a foot to the ball as Wright attempted to dribble round him and Paul Powell managed to clear.

A minute later Gerrard forced Tommy Mooney into hurriedly chipping into the side-netting when he was clear of the defence.

Oxford began strongly at the start of the second half and Jamie Cook, Paul Tait and Andy Thomson threatened to break the deadlock.

But the home side also escaped when Watford striker Mooney was fouled by Les Robinson in the Oxford penalty area but referee Mark Cowburn waved play on.

United manager Malcolm Shotton sent on strikers Kevin Francis and Nicky Banger for the last 20 minutes but their presence made little difference.

Teams

Oxford Utd: Gerrard, Robinson, Powell, Gray, Watson, Gilchrist, Cook (Francis 70), Tait, Murphy (Banger 75), Thomson, Beauchamp.

Subs Not Used: Remy.

Booked: Gerrard.

Watford: Chamberlain, Bazeley, Kennedy, Page, Palmer, Robinson, Smith, Hyde, Mooney (Gudmundsson 66), Johnson,Wright (Ngonge 66).

Subs Not Used: Hazan.

Att: 8,137

Ref: M Cowburn (Blackpool).