Ben Chilwell and Craig Dawson traded excellent stoppage-time goals as a largely tepid lunchtime Premier League encounter exploded into late life at an empty Vicarage Road.
England full-back Chilwell looked to have taken the points for Leicester when he crashed an unstoppable effort past Ben Foster and in off the far post for just his fourth career goal.
But there was still time for Dawson to hook home an improbable scissor kick in the third minute of added time to edge Watford a point above the relegation zone.
The Hornets have rebuilt their season on a base of strong home form under Nigel Pearson and were again impressive in spells, despite the absence of fans.
Foxes goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made two fine saves to deny Abdoulaye Doucoure and then Ismaila Sarr as the home side threatened.
Brendan Rodgers’ side saw plenty of the ball but struggled to pose any threat at all until late on, when Marc Albrighton rattled the post and Foster had to make a low stop from James Maddison.
The two late, late goals mean that Leicester stay third, while Watford could yet end the day back in the bottom three depending on results elsewhere.
Dawson digs out a point
The Hornets delivered the on-pitch shock of the season when they thumped Liverpool 3-0 in their last home game way back in February.
In fact, three of Watford’s six league wins have been at home against sides in the top seven.
So it was perhaps no surprise that the hosts had the better chances, with both Doucoure and Sarr missing great opportunities to open the scoring.
Schmeichel excelled on both occasions but could no nothing about Dawson’s strike which preserved a valuable point.
The Hornets were led by captain Troy Deeney, who was late back to training after deciding he did not want to put his child, who has had breathing difficulties, “in more danger” from coronavirus.
Deeney looked as sharp as anyone and went close with a header at 0-0 before the late flurry of excitement.
Defeat would have been harsh on the Hornets, who, with home games against Southampton, Norwich and Newcastle still to come, look set to fight for survival all the way.
