Sir Elton John's presence could not inspire promotion-chasing Watford to round off their Coca-Cola Championship campaign with a win.

The club's honorary life president was in the stands for this goalless draw, but the Hornets looked to have one eye on next month's play-offs and failed to hit the right notes.

Watford had chances to win it - Chris Eagles, Darius Henderson, Al Bangura and Marlon King all going close - but substitute Darryl Duffy twice squandered good chances for Hull, and Leon Cort put a free header wide after an hour.

The match lacked rhythm in the early stages, and the first chance did not come until the 24th minute.

King fed Eagles on the Watford right, and the on-loan Manchester United winger evaded two challenges before unleashing a 10-yard shot that Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill saved with his feet.

Watford should have taken the lead in the 28th minute. Alan Rogers misjudged the flight of Jordan Stewart's cross-field ball from the left, allowing Eagles to seize possession and cut the ball back - but Henderson missed the ball completely before King lashed the loose ball well over from 12 yards.

Henderson came even closer in the 39th minute, forcing Myhill to push his well-directed header around the right post following Lloyd Doyley's long throw-in from the right.

Two minutes before the break, Jon Parkin and Kevin Ellison set up Stuart Green for a fierce 20-yard shot that Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster did well to parry.

Hull brought on Duffy for Craig Fagan for the second half, and the striker twice went close to firing the Tigers ahead.

He dragged an angled shot wide from 15 yards after being set up by Parkin in the 47th minute, and 13 minutes later his low drive drew a fine save from Foster following a clever exchange of passes with Green.

Peter Taylor's team continued to create chances. In the 63rd minute, the unmarked Cort should have done better than head Andy Dawson's free-kick wide of the left post.

The visitors were coping well in defence with Watford's direct, robust approach, and the home side's first chance of the second half did not come until the 64th minute, when Henderson just failed to make contact with King's excellent right-wing cross.

King was involved again in the 76th minute, his neat through-ball playing in Bangura, who was denied by the impressive Myhill from eight yards.

Teams

Watford Foster, Doyley, DeMerit, Mariappa, Stewart, Eagles,Mahon, Bangura, Young (McNamee 62), King, Henderson (Spring 81).

Subs Not Used: Chamberlain, Chambers, Robinson.

Hull Myhill, Thelwell, Delaney, Cort, Rogers (Dawson 45),Green, Welsh, Andrews, Ellison (France 85), Fagan (Duffy 45),Parkin.

Subs Not Used: Duke, Paynter.

Att: 17,128

Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).