Wesley Hoedt marked his Watford debut by snatching a point for the Hornets at home to Blackburn Rovers, with the teams’ high-octane Sky Bet Championship clash ending 1-1 following Bradley Dack’s first-half opener.

The fit-again João Pedro was a threat in yellow throughout the first half, while Henrique Araújo went close on more than one occasion, but Dack delivered the goods for Rovers against the run of play in the 24th minute.

Ismaïla Sarr and Ismaël Koné enjoyed a number of good chances to equalise before Hoedt blasted in his first for the club with just over quarter-of-an-hour to go, and though the momentum swung in the Golden Boys’ favour they were unable to notch a second.

With the spoils shared Watford remain in the play-off positions after 31 games, ahead of Tuesday night’s trip to league leaders Burnley (February 14, 8pm KO) and then a match back at home against West Bromwich Albion (Monday February 20, 8pm KO).

Head Coach Slaven Bilić made three changes to the XI that earned a point at Reading last time out, with João Pedro and Ismaël Koné being drafted in from the start alongside debutant Hoedt.

As the players gathered around the centre circle, all inside Vicarage Road united in remembering those impacted by the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, observing a period of silence before captain-for-the-day João Pedro got the game underway.

Blackburn new-boy Sorba Thomas tried his luck with a speculative shot in the fifth minute, though the ball sailed high over the crossbar, and Watford then claimed the first corner of the afternoon following a Matheus Martins free-kick, similarly without reward.

Mario Gaspar showed good strength to brush off Ben Brereton Díaz down the right before unleashing a wild shot from range, and then a teasing Hassane Kamara cross needed a last-gasp clearance to avert the danger in Blackburn’s six-yard box.

A period of away possession yielded little end product and the Hornets were soon back on the attack, this time João Pedro demonstrating his quality with some neat link-up with fellow Brazilian Martins, and a clever ball that just eluded Araújo.

Araújo soon had a clearer sight of goal, but could only flash his header wide following a corner-kick, and then Koné curled in a looping cross that Rovers stopper Aynsley Pears gathered at the second attempt.

Pears looked more composed when he coolly held a stinging João Pedro shot from 20 yards, in the 20th minute, and it wasn’t long before his teammates were celebrating down the other end when Dack prodded home the opener from close range, after Joe Rankin-Costello’s initial effort.

Away number 14 Thomas earned a booking for a dangerous tackle on Kamara - with some among the home supporters bewildered that it wasn’t a red - and then moments later a loose pass gifted João Pedro the ball in a dangerous position, but his shot skewed wide.

Sarr delivered a flurry of crosses as the Golden Boys continued to push for an equaliser close to the interval, and the Senegal international was teed up on the penalty spot by Araújo but shot directly at Pears.

After Ryan Porteous engaged in some argy-bargy with Tyrhys Dolan, Gaspar came off worse when he collided with Pears’ arm in the air close to the visitors’ goal, and the seconds ticked down with Blackburn maintaining the lead at the whistle.

After warm tributes were paid to the late former Watford Observer Assistant Editor Oliver Phillips during half-time, Watford returned to the field with Keinan Davis up front in place of Araújo.

Sarr looked lively from the off, working himself into space and finding Martins, winning a free-kick on the corner of the box, and then firing a fierce attempt at goal on the 50-minute mark that kept Pears on red alert.

Koné was next to go close, misfiring within whiskers of the post after Martins’ fine ball had drifted past Davis and found the Canadian midfielder, and then Kamara tested Pears with another on-target Watford effort from range.

The hour mark saw Ken Sema replace Martins for his first minutes since Boxing Day, but it was Blackburn who thought they had scored a second in the 68th minute, only for Dack’s finish to be ruled out for offside.

Club captain Tom Cleverley was next to make his long-awaited comeback to match action, with little under 20 minutes to go, and just moments later Watford were level when Hoedt smashed in a loose ball after Blackburn failed to clear a Sema free-kick.

Imrân Louza - absent since October - was brought on with 10 minutes left, and then Britt Assombalonga was greeted warmly on his return to The Vic in Watford colours, as Bilić’s charges made a big push for a late winner.

Rovers remained hungry for another goal themselves, but couldn’t test Bachmann with a dangerous-looking free-kick from the right, and with five minutes of added time complete referee Jeremy Simpson brought the entertaining encounter to a close.