It remains goalless between Watford and Cardiff City as the players head in for half time at Vicarage Road.

The away side started the better, forcing their opponents back with several attacks down the right-hand side.

They almost took the lead after 17 minutes, when Kim Bo-Kyung wriggled free in the area only to see his deflected shot well saved by Manuel Almunia.

As Watford got more involved, the game became stretched. First Troy Deeney's header hit David Marshall from three yards and then Craig Conway broke away well only to drag his shot wide from just outside the box.

Deeney then fired over from 12 yards out after Matej Vydra had knocked down Matthew Briggs's cross.

A few full-blooded challenges caused both dugouts to be animated as the first half drew to a close.