Watford, with Sir Elton John making a welcome appearance, were just unable to make it three wins on the trot, but will still face Crystal Palace in the play-offs in good heart after their goalless draw with Peter Taylor's Hull City ensured third place in the final Coca-Cola Championship table.
Manager, Aidy Boothroyd made four changes to the starting eleven that had won at Loftus Road eight days ago, Adrian Marriappa taking the place of the resting Malky Mackay in the heart of the defence to join the returning trio of Marlon King, Gavin Mahon and Chris Eagles.
On a bright but cool and blustery afternoon both sides had chances to seal the points but were kept out by good goalkeeping.
The Golden Boys had the better of the chances though and Al Bangura Eagles and King might all feel they should have beaten impressive Tigers stopper, Boaz Myhill.
The visitors shaded a rather sedate opening period, but the Hull City keeper made his first good save of the game when he grabbed Eagles' low drive after the winger had cut inside.
Soon after, Eagles got free on the right again but his pull-back was completely missed by Darius Henderson and King blazed wide.
Watford continued in the ascendancy and almost made the breakthrough on two occasions, both chances coming from Lloyd Doyley long throws.
First Henderson's header was easily saved by Myhill, but then the Hull City keeper had to go to ground to turn another header from the Golden Boys striker behind.
However, the Tigers had an opening of their own in the last minute of the half when Stuart Green's well struck 20-yard shot was well dealt with by an excellently positioned Ben Foster.
The visitor's started the second half on the front foot and almost scored when Gavin Mahon dallied in midfield and his eventual pass was intercepted and played through to sub Darryl Duffy, but his low drive was impressively kept out by Foster.
Leon Cort then sent a free header badly wide, but Watford then took charge again with Henderson just unable to direct an excellent King cross on target.
A goal looked inevitable with 15 minutes remaining when Bangura exchanged passes with King and burst into the area, but again Myhill saved, as he did when some impressive trickery from King created a chance from nothing, but his stinging half-volley was beaten away by the Hull City keeper.
So a match-up against Iain Dowie's Crystal Palace for a place in the Play-off final at the Millenieum Stadium on May 21 awaits and the Golden Boys will be desperate for revenge over the only side to complete the league double over them during a momentous season.
Golden Boys man of the match: Adrian Mariappa, an assured display for someone so young.