Watford’s first team coach Billy McKinlay believes it is important not to become “too bogged down” with the Hornets giving away a two-goal lead during their 2-2 draw at Blackburn Rovers.

The Scot also reckons his new club faced a partnership this afternoon - in Jordan Rhodes and Rudy Gestede - that is as good as any strike force in the Championship.

The Golden Boys led 2-0 at half-time at Ewood Park, arguably against the run of play, but ended up being fortunate to return home with a point after Rovers had several excellent chances late on with the score 2-2.

McKinlay, who was appointed on Friday, said: “It is easy to sit here and focus on the two goals we lost but we had some really good attacking play, particularly in the first half, and we had some good opportunities in the second half where we could have picked a better pass or had a little bit more quality on the counter-attack and we could have won the game. We still had chances to win the game at 2-1 and 2-2.

“It is really important we don’t just get too bogged down that it was 2-0 and ended 2-2.

“Before the game would you take a point here? I don’t think it is bad result and I believe they will be in the [play-off] shake-up.

“Obviously with the way the game goes and being 2-0 up, then you are slightly disappointed but it is about building runs and picking up points – keeping things ticking over.

“It is a long, hard and arduous season and the league is a slog in terms of games and you need to be resilient. We showed aspects of that today.”

He added: “I have to say in the first half I think we played some terrific stuff. On the counter we caused them real problems and limited them to very little. To go in at 2-0 up with the quality of finishing was pleasing.

“Blackburn’s first goal after half-time (20 seconds into the second half) was a game-changer because it gave them momentum and confidence to get back into the game. I have to say it was a fantastic header [from Gestede].”

Watford goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes twice had to save from close range late-on when the score was level and Rhodes also had a goal ruled out for a foul on the Brazilian.

Blackburn, who are tenth in the Championship, had 28 shots at goal compared to third-placed Watford’s 11, although the home side only had three more efforts on target than the visitors.

When it was put to McKinlay that the Golden Boys were fortunate to leave with a point, he replied: “I’m not so sure we were lucky. There was some good defending in there. I thought they caused us a few problems in certain periods of the second half and the goal at the start of the second half was disappointing and changed the complexion of the game and gave them confidence. That was probably the game-changer.

“The second goal was disappointing to say the least.

“When they were throwing so many long balls into the box and getting bodies around Gestede, who is a handful to say the least, we showed some good attributes in terms of trying to see out the game and get a result. That was pleasing I think.”

Gestede caused Watford problems throughout today’s match, like he did in March’s 3-3 draw between the sides when he scored a late equaliser.

Rhodes, who has found the net twice in his six games against Watford, has scored 57 goals in 104 matches for Rovers in all competitions and has scored four times already this season, with his strike partner Gestede going one better on five.

McKinlay said: “I would say their pairing is as good as there is in the league. Rhodes’ goals are there for everyone to see and Gestede has a physical presence.

“Blackburn did cause us some problems with long balls into Gestede. They were very direct balls into him and that is understandable considering his quality.

“We had to deal with that and I think in the last ten minutes when we were under the cosh a little bit, I thought we defended quite well in that sense.”

Watford striker Matej Vydra also showed his quality this afternoon as he recovered from a poor second touch, to curl in a lovely strike to open the scoring.

It was Vydra’s first goal in open play since the first game of the season and only his third of the campaign.

However, McKinlay stressed: “You are not sure if he should have taken an extra touch but he knows what he is doing in the final third. He certainly has an eye for a goal around the box which has been shown in the last two or three years. We should maybe have a bit more trust and confidence in him.”

Watford were without two of their most influential players this afternoon. Troy Deeney is likely to be out until the Sheffield Wednesday match in three weeks time and Almen Abdi missed the contest at Ewood Park with a thigh problem.

McKinlay said: “I think Almen got a knock in training. I was only in yesterday so it happened before I got in. I think it was just a dead leg or something but I’m not 100 per cent sure about that.”

Ikechi Anya went off with what looked like cramp with minutes left of today’s match but McKinlay was full of praise for his fellow Scotland international.

The former Blackburn and Leicester City midfielder said: “I think he was just feeling a bit of cramp. He works ever so hard and he is so dynamic. The intensity of his work is phenomenal so I think it was a little bit of fatigue which set into the muscle.”

The ex-Fulham coach was unsure of the injury which forced Gabriele Angella off in injury-time.

Read McKinlay's comments about head coach Oscar Garcia and his return to work here. A match report from today's contest can be read by clicking here.