But Watford's record as having recorded more draws than any other side in senior football was extended with a disappointing 90 minutes with neither side finding the net.
The nearest thing to a goal came when James Chambers got on the end of a free-kick by Anthony McNamee and sent a glancing header beyond keeper Tony Warner, but the ball struck the outside of the post and Cardiff escaped.
A bigger escape for Cardiff occurred after 52 minutes when for some unknown reason Jobi McAnuff opted to imitate a goalkeeper and dived to paw away a low cross, but Northamptonshire referee Peter Walton waved play on despite Watford's incensed appeals.
Certainly the home side created the most chances but failed to really test keeper Warner. Cardiff had the better of the first half but were unable to produce a serious attempt on goal whereas twice the Hornets' on-loan signing Johnnie Jackson skied half chances when he ran on to crosses.
Early in the second half Paul Devlin had a free-kick turned over and Cardiff's nearest chance came when Daniel Gabbidon saw his free-kick turned wide by on-loan goalkeeper Paul Jones.
Watford continued to press and leading scorer Heidar Helguson saw one shot blocked and sent two headers clear of the target.
Cardiff had few attacks in the second half which prompted their fans to chant for the dismissal of manager Lennie Lawrence.
Cameron Jerome produced an angled shot, but Jones was behind this and was at the far post to collect a toe-poked effort from McAnuff.
After Chambers had hit the post for Watford, substitute Scott Fitzgerald forced Jones to retrieve a looping header on his own line.