Watford 1-1 Bristol City: Twine cancels out Bola strike but visitors miss top-six chance

Bristol City missed the chance to climb into the Championship play-off places as they drew 1-1 with Watford at Vicarage Road.

Both teams netted inside the first half-hour as Scott Twine cancelled out Marc Bola's opener, with both goalkeepers making big saves in the second half.

Bola tucked a neat finish beneath Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek in the sixth minute, having latched onto a pinpoint over-the-top pass from captain Imran Louza.

Vitek then made a good save to deny Edo Kayembe as Watford pressed for a second goal, but the visitors struck against the run of play when Twine looked for the near post with a curling free-kick from the left corner of the area, catching out goalkeeper Egil Selvik.

Selvik went some way to atoning just before the hour mark, making an excellent left-handed save to keep out Anis Mehmeti's shot, before Bola saw a close-range effort deflect narrowly wide.

Sinclair Armstrong was then denied by Selvik after being played in by Twine, while Vitek palmed away Othmane Maamma's effort following a corner.

Neither team could find a late winner, leaving Bristol City seventh in the table with 23 points, outside the top six on goal difference, while Watford are only one point further back.

Data Debrief: Vitek heroics end Hornets' home run

Watford were seeking a fifth straight home win in the Championship, having won their first two at Vicarage Road since Javi Gracia returned to the club last month.

The Hornets had the better opportunities overall, generating 1.39 expected goals (xG) to Bristol City's 0.69.

Eleven of Watford's 16 shots came from inside the area, with 10 hitting the target, but Vitek made nine saves to preserve Bristol City's point. 

Only Sheffield Wednesday's Pierce Charles (11 versus Leicester City) has made more in a Championship game this season.