Both managers finished satisfied in settling for a point at Vicarage Road.
"It was never going to be a classic. Not only was the surface difficult, both teams are desperate for points for opposite reasons," said Wigan manager Paul Jewell.
And Watford manager Ray Lewington admitted he kept quiet about his pre-match worries over this match.
"I really rate Wigan as one of the best sides. I didn't make too much of it before the game, but the way they started only confirmed my opinion," he said.
"But that's why I regard it as very much a point gained. I admit I was worried about this game." Despite his fears Lewington's brave decision to play two wide men against much fancied opposition contributed to the success and Watford could have lifted all three points with a spirited second-half display.
But Wigan had enjoyed the edge in the first half and could have scored a second themselves.
A draw was a fair result but it had the appearance of a certain away win when Wigan took the lead after 13 minutes. Jason De Vos headed down from a corner and Jason Roberts nipped in to deflect the ball home.
But even Jewell admitted Wigan were fortunate within a minute when the referee failed to award Watford a penaltly for a push by Matt Jackson on Heidar Helguson in the box.
However, in the 24th minute Watford levelled the score. A deflected shot looped up in the penalty area and Heidar Helguson was quick off the mark before leaping to head beyond the advancing keeper.
The ball entered the bet via the woodwork as both players collided but Jewell had no doubt it was valid goal for a "brave header".
Nathan Ellington headed wide from a corner soon after this and the recalled veteran keeper Alec Chamberlain had to make a smart block to deny Roberts.
Watford through Helguson, Micah Hyde and Lee Cook could have grabbed a winner in the second half and at the other end Chamberlain made a fine one-handed save to deny Lee McCulloch.