LEAGUE leaders Watford played out a nil-nil draw on a dull grey day at the Britannia Stadium, with little to inspire either the paying public or those viewing this game from the comfort of their living rooms.

That said, Stoke looked certain to win the game in the final seconds, until Richard Lee leapt into action to deny Ricardo Fuller a match-winning moment.

Both sides created little in this Sunday lunchtime encounter, with Steve Simonsen in particular enjoying as quiet an afternoon as he could hope for.

Yet that's not to take away from two defences that were on top of their games, thwarting any momentum that might have built in the Potteries.

Aidy Boothroyd was forced into two changes because of injury, Mart Poom and Dan Shittu ruled out with a groin and a knee injury respectively. Darius Henderson also missed out with a slight knee problem.

That paved the way for a return between the sticks for Lee, whilst Matt Jackson made his first league start for the Hornets since joining from Wigan Athletic in the summer.

On the wide plains of the Britannia Stadium, Watford started brightly, pressing Stoke deep into their own half, winning an early corner and using the wide areas to good effect.

It was, however, the Potters who created the clearest of the early chances when Ricardo Fuller made an impressive run down the right before squaring the ball across an unguarded net to force Lloyd Doyley into a goal-sparing clearance.

It was typical stuff from Stoke to start with, their up and at 'em approach creating a frantic tempo to play, often stifling the potential quality of the game. At this stage both sides were reduced to long-range strikes.

With little to speak of in terms of chances, the on-looking Boothroyd might have been disappointed to see one of the few efforts of note spurned by top scorer Marlon King who, having controlled a left-wing cross, fired his shot across towards the corner flag when just five yards out.

Shoot on sight... King fires in an effort

Defences were most certainly on top in this game as everyone waited patiently for the moment of inspiration the game was crying out for. It didn't arrive before half-time though.

Seven minutes into the second period City had the home fans on their feet with a swift break down the right that almost led to the opener.

Former Gillingham man Mamady Sidibe beat the sliding challenge of skipper Jay DeMerit and had the presence of mind to lay-up Fuller, who promptly smashed a side-footed effort towards goal, where Lee was forced to make a terrific reflex save on his line.

Once cleared Watford swept the ball up field and seconds later Jobi McAnuff found himself with a half chance which he skied over the crossbar from the edge of the area.

The game was scrappy and certainly wasn't helped by referee Webster's constant interventions.

All action as Tamas gets involved at Stoke

On the hour mark Tommy Smith found himself on the end of two quick-fire chances, the second of which he poked goal-wards from ten yards, only to see it deflect off a City defender for a corner.

Watford were starting to look the more inventive of the two sides with Stoke's energy levels dipping as the game wore on, but in truth the whole game was starting to take on a pedestrian pace.

Rory Delap's long throws remained a threat to the Hornets, but the reshuffled back line were playing sufficiently well to keep the encounter goalless.

Like fellow Jamaican King at the other end of the field, Fuller looked Stoke's best player and he arrowed a drive narrowly wide of Lee's right-hand upright 65 minutes in.

Delap went into the book a few moments later for a heavy foul on McAnuff, followed soon after by team mate Richard Cresswell, as both sides tried to gain advantage in this stalemate.

That's enough for McAnuff as he's fouled again

Stoke manager Tony Pulis became the first of the two bosses to freshen his side with a change, when he introduced man mountain Jon Parkin for Sidibe.

Not to be outdone Boothroyd then turned to his bench, deciding on Nathan Ellington as the man to spark this encounter to life.

With just nine minutes remaining Lee clawed a Cresswell shot wide of goal after the striker tore into the Watford defence down the inside left channel.

This was followed by another quick attack from Stoke after Doyley mistimed his tackle - for which he received a yellow card - but nothing came of it as the yellows cleared yet again.

In the final moments Lee was the undisputed hero of the hour for the visiting side as Fuller latched on to a long through ball and raced clear one-on-one.

With just Lee to beat he looked odds on to score and win the game in dramatic fashion, but man-of-the-match Lee leapt towards the ball, his outstretched right arm saving Watford from heartbreak.

The point puts Watford two points clear of their nearest challengers in the Championship, West Bromwich Albion, after they confirmed their first goalless draw of the season.

All-Wright? Not so as blood pours from the City player

STOKE CITY: Simonsen; Pugh, Cort, Zakuani, Dickinson; Wright (Buxton 90), Delap (c), Lawrence, Cresswell; Fuller, Sidibe (Parkin 73). Subs not used: Hoult, Pericard, Pulis.

WATFORD: Lee; Doyley, DeMerit (c), Jackson, Stewart; Smith (Ellington 77), Williamson, O'Toole, McAnuff; King, Priskin (Francis 89). Subs not used: Loach, Mariappa, Ainsworth.

BOOKINGS: STOKE; Delap (unsporting behaviour, 67), Cresswell (unsporting behaviour, 72). WATFORD; Doyley (unsporting behaviour, 83), Williamson (unsporting behaviour, 84).

SENDINGS OFF: STOKE; none. WATFORD; none.

SCORERS: STOKE; none. WATFORD; none.

ATTENDANCE: 15,516 (597 Watford supporters).

REFEREE: C Webster.