In a game of fluctuating fortunes at Vicarage Road, Derby County extended their unbeaten run to four and Watford to seven.
Ray Lewington's Hornets gained first blood quite literally. Not only were they the first to find the net but a crash of heads between Heidar Helguson and Michael Johnson saw the Derby defender stretchered off and subsequently receive six stitches in a gash at the back of his head.
The reorganised visiting defence was caught two minutes later when a cross by Ashley Young was met with a firm header from Helguson.
Bruce Dyer should have increased the lead just before the interval but after beating the keeper with his header saw it bounce across the face of goal.
Watford had cause to regret that miss as in the second half Derby began to dictate proceedings and it was no surprise when they equalised on 57 minutes.
Richard Lee pushed out Adam Bolder's header only as far as Ian Taylor who fired home.
Then substitute Paul Peschisolido ran through on to a superb pass by Bolder to fire Derby into the lead.
After Helguson had missed the chance of equalising, Watford were on terms after 82 minutes.
Substitute Hameur Bouazza fired in a cross shot which the keeper parried and Brynjar Gunnarsson shot home the equaliser.
Scott Fitzgerald, Helguson and Sean Dyche all had chances to wrap the points up for Watford but spurned them.