By John Sinnott

Watford and Charlton have only scored 13 goals between them this season

Charlton remain stuck at the bottom of the Premiership table after they and fellow strugglers Watford missed a catalogue of chances at The Valley.

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster saved twice from Andy Reid late on in the first half after earlier denying Jerome Thomas with his feet.

The visitors proved more of an attacking force after the break, with Darius Henderson missing an open goal.

Charlton also had penalty claims after Hameur Bouazza fouled Amdy Faye.

Interview: Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd

Interview: Charlton manager Iain Dowie

Addicks manager Iain Dowie turned away in disbelief after Faye's appeals were turned down by referee Lee Mason.

Dowie's animated reaction was matched by his counterpart Adrian Boothroyd when Henderson skied a shot over the bar to miss the clearest chance in the match.

Before Saturday's game Charlton had managed to score just six league goals this season, while Watford had managed just one more, and each side's finishing once again let them down.

Dowie had replaced Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with Thomas in an effort to resolve Charlton's striking inefficiency, a switch that gave the home side more pace but in the end was unable to provide a goal.

Early on Charlton missed three good chances.

Dennis Rommedahl waited too long and allowed Watford to block his shot, before Thomas' effort drew a fine reaction save from Foster.

Darren Bent briefly glimpsed goal following a fine move involving Thomas and Reid, but the England international was unable to get a clean strike on the ball.

606: DEBATE If Bent has an off day like today there's nobody to step up to the plate and score in his place SC 606: Have your say

Thomas was making his first start for Charlton this season and the 23-year-old frequently linked up to great effect with Reid.

Just past the half-hour Thomas jinked his way into the box before curling a shot just over the bar.

Reid initiated and finished another Charlton move, firing in a shot that Foster beat away.

Just before the interval the on-loan Manchester United keeper had to tip over the bar a dipping Reid free-kick.

Amid this Charlton onslaught, Watford struggled to bring Henderson and Ashley Young into the game.

Bouazza had a couple of attempts at goal, but Watford failed to test Charlton goalkeeper Scott Carson.

Henderson should have given Watford the lead after Young pulled the ball back for his striking partner, but the former Reading forward embarrassingly put the ball over the bar.

Watford midfielder Tommy Smith also had a close-range shot blocked by Matt Holland, who had a good game for Charlton in midfield.

Late on Smith made an impressive run into the box but was unable to control his volley.

Dowie threw on Hasselbaink but the Dutchman was unable to turn the game in Charlton's favour.

"We talked about getting midfielders opportunities, and the chances we were creating were fine, but the execution was not quite good enough.

"I can't fault the spirit - there were some big performances out there."

"We have to start taking them - if you're getting into those areas, then you would expect the ball to go in the back of the net.

"Things do not go for you when we are where we are."

Charlton: Carson, Young, El Karkouri, Diawara, Hreidarsson, Rommedahl, Holland, Faye, Reid, Thomas (Hasselbaink 77), Darren Bent.
Subs Not Used: Myhre, Kishishev, Marcus Bent, Hughes.

Booked: Holland, Darren Bent.

Watford: Foster, Doyley, DeMerit, Shittu, Stewart, Smith, Mahon, Francis, Bouazza (Powell 90), Henderson, Young.
Subs Not Used: Lee, Mackay, Priskin, Spring.

Att: 27,011

Ref: L Mason (Lancashire).