Watford substitute Rocco Vata's late equalizer gave his side a 1-1 draw in Hull and denied new Tigers boss Ruben Selles victory in his first game in charge.
Vata fired home in the 88th minute, shortly after Hull substitute Chris Bedia's scrappy effort appeared to have given former Reading manager Selles a winning start.
The Tigers halted a six-match losing streak in the Sky Bet Championship but remain bottom of the table and without a win since October 1.
Watford extended their unbeaten league run to five games, but the point did little to dent their play-off hopes as they dropped to eighth place.
Hull started with a bounce in step following the recent arrival of Selles and Ryan Longman squandered an early sight of goal after being played in by Kasey Palmer.
But it took another 30 minutes before Hull had their first effort on target, with Ryan Giles' low effort easily collected by Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann.
Watford had not troubled home goalkeeper Ivor Pandur either and the first spark of the match came from an off-the-ball push-and-shove between Hornets midfielder Imran Louza and Palmer in the 36th minute.
Both players were booked and Hull were briefly called into action when Regan Slater's cutback in the area picked out Joao Pedro, whose first-time shot was well blocked by Watford centre-back Ryan Porteous.
Watford, and especially Giorgi Chakvetadze, stepped up their game at the start of the second half.
The Georgia striker's ball pushed the Tigers deep and after working his way into space on the edge of the area, he curled a right-footed shot narrowly wide of the target.
Slater then pushed into the opposite box and his low cross fizzled behind Longman before Pedro lifted the Tigers fans further by racing free onto Palmer's pass and firing a low angle wide.
Hull's confidence grew. Longman headed skipper Lewie Coyle's cross straight at Bachmann and substitute Mason Burstow forced the Hornets goalkeeper into a crucial low save with his first touch.
The home side thought they had secured a crucial victory in the 82nd minute when substitute Marvin Mehlem's cut effort was deflected through Bedia, possibly off his hand.
But with the clock ticking, Watford replacement Kwadwo Baah cut the ball back from the right and Vata scored a first finish.
The administrators
Ruben Selles from Hull:
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Tom Cleverley of Watford:
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