Kevin Schade scored his second goal of the summer as Brentford drew 1-1 with Watford in a pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The Germany international rose above Ryan Andrews to head home Ryan Trevitt’s cross on six minutes. But the Bees’ lead was short lived as Moussa Sissoko levelled with a deflected finish.

With Mads Roerslev absent, Trevitt was deployed in an unfamiliar right-back role. Ethan Pinnock and Vitaly Janelt were also unavailable for the visit to Vicarage Road.

The first chance fell to Brentford in the fifth minute. The ball was worked out to Mikkel Damsgaard on the left and his floated delivery was headed over the bar by Schade.

It was a warning for Watford that they did not heed. Moments later, Trevitt, teed up by Yoane Wissa, curled a first-time cross to the back post and Schade leapt above his marker Andrews to nod across the keeper and into the far corner.

The Bees’ advantage lasted less than two minutes. Mark Flekken’s pass to Ji-soo Kim was intercepted by Vakoun Bayo inside the box, and the forward rolled the ball back for Sissoko who finished via a deflection off the South Korean defender.

On 12 minutes, Daniel Bachmann made a strong save to deny Christian Nørgaard after the Brentford captain was sent through on goal by Wissa.

Midway through the half, Jeremy Ngakia got the better of Trevitt on the byline and, having advanced into the area, forced Flekken into a smart stop at his near post.

As the clock ticked beyond the half-hour mark, Brentford had a big chance to re-take the lead. Mathias Jensen and Bryan Mbeumo combined brilliantly – the former’s perfectly weighted through ball taking three Watford players out of the game and releasing the Cameroon international – but Bachmann sniffed out the danger and advanced quickly off his line to make a sprawling save in the middle of the box.

On 35 minutes, Edo Kayembe’s in-swinging corner struck the near post and bounced out for a goal-kick.

The hosts had the first attempt after the break. Giorgi Chakvetadze darted forward and released Bayo, and half-time substitute Matt Cox turned the forward’s well-struck effort around the post and out for a corner.

Two minutes later, Kristoffer Ajer burst up the left flank and threaded the ball through for Schade. The German rounded the on-rushing Bachmann but then a heavy touched allowed Watford to regain possession in their own box.

Schade, heavily involved in the Bees’ attacking play, then saw his header – connecting with Jensen’s floated corner – drop wide of the keeper’s right post.

There was a moment of magic from Mikkel Damsgaard on 66 minutes. During a quick Bees breakaway, the Dane nutmegged Chakvetadze, lifted his head and found Wissa in a more advanced position. The DR Congo international cut in on his right and let fly from just inside the box, forcing Bachmann into an impressive low save.

As the game approached its conclusion, Jensen shaped to cross and fizzed the ball into Mbeumo on the edge of the box. The forward took a touch to set himself before firing over the crossbar.

Watford: Bachmann, Pollock, Sierralta, Porteous, Sissoko, Andrews, Dele-Bashiru (Louza 88), Ngakia (Sema 60), Kayembe, Chakvetadze (Ince 75), Bayo (Baah 75)

Subs not used: Bond, Marriott, Clarridge, Morris, Vata, Rajovic

Brentford: Flekken (Cox HT); Trevitt (Yarmoliuk HT), Ji-soo (Zanka HT), Collins, Ajer (McManus 64); Nørgaard (Onyeka 64), Jensen (Konak 77), Damsgaard (Yogane 77); Schade (Peart-Harris 64), Mbeumo (Morgan 77), Wissa

Subs not used: Valdimarsson, Owen, Headman

Frank 'positive' after Watford performance

Brentford head coach Thomas Frank was pleased with his side's goal-creating actions and control of the game against Watford, as they drew their penultimate match of pre-season.

"Overall, it was positive, in terms of the performance," said Frank.

"I was not happy with the performance against Estrela da Amadora, I thought we were really poor. But today I was much more pleased with the performance.

"I thought we created four or five good opportunities and big chances - and that's a lot in a game. Of course, we'd like the players to take them and put them in the back of the net. But the big thing is creating those chances.

"I thought we controlled the game more in phases and I felt we gave little away; their goal came from a mistake and that happens.

"Overall, it was positive vibes."

Damsgaard: Watford draw a good step

Midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard believes Brentford’s 1-1 draw with Watford is a step in the right direction ahead of the start of the Premier League season on 18 August.

“We showed some good things,” said the Dane. “Today was a good step, adding layers on the ball, and we still need to keep the intensity and the pressing as we’re used to.”

On his own performance, Damsgaard added: “For now, I have a more free role. I’m trying to find spaces and create chances for the team. I want to help the team develop from the defence to creating chances. Today I thought it went pretty well, but we need to keep improving.”