Watford draw to Reading after wrong decision

On a beautiful summers day in Hertfordshire the game started with the visitors attacking. But Boothroyd's problems mounted within the first few minutes as Mart Poom fell awkwardly after racing out of his area to head the ball clear to deny Reading's in-form forward.

The Estonian was unable to continue and was replaced by Loach, making his first league appearance for the 'Orns. News soon filtered out that the ex-Arsenal stopper had dislocated his shoulder as he headed next door to Watford general.

Loach received a warm round of applause as he entered the field. He would have to be on his guard all afternoon as the Royals looked confident and were getting the ball in to forward positions very quickly.

During one of Watford's first attacks a long ball forced American goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to race from his goal line and collected the ball while he looked to be outside his box. The referee waved play on much to the digest of the home crowd. 

Then the Royals showed why they are in such rich form in front of goal, after an excellent cross from Kevin Doyle, Noel Hunt was in the danger area but couldn't connect properly with the ball.

With less than 15 minutes on the clock the major talking point of the game occurred. The visitors pushed forward and won a corner. Stephen Hunt trotted over to take the kick by the Rous Stand.

He whipped in a ball and in the crowded penalty area it struck John Eustace and went the wrong side of Loach's post.

With the ball just over the line, but the wrong side of the post, Hunt brother Noel hooked the ball back inside the penalty area and then a header struck Loach's bar.

The lineman, Mr Bannister, had raised his flag believing the ball had gone over the line when Hunt dinked it back into the danger zone.

With no one celebrating inside the stadium, the referee consulted with his assistant and gave a goal to the visitors.

The stadium was shocked and the visiting supporters in the Vicarage Road end had no idea why the goal had been given, much like everyone else inside the stadium.

It was a bizarre and surreal moment as no-one inside the stadium, apart from officials, knew what was going on.

Watford's players tried to remonstrate with the officials and Jobi McAnuff was booked for his trouble.

After the confusion had calmed down the game re-started with the visitors a goal to the good, despite Loach having not let the ball crossed his line. Confused? It marked an unbelievable mistake that costs the Hornets dearly.

As the match started up again the 'Orns had to drag themselves back into the game. But it was still the visitors who attacked and look dangerous.

Stephen Hunt's free kick found its way through the crowded area and brought about a save from Loach.

Reading's Jimmy Kebe then drilled a shot in  that was well saved by Loach, as the Golden Boys appeared shell shocked by the decision that had gone against them.

But Watford regrouped and started to put the Royals under more pressure, however they couldn't break the well drilled Reading defence down.

Tommy Smith unleashed a rasping drive that was well saved by Hahneman in goal for the Royals as three minutes was added on at the end of the first period.

As the Golden Boys came out for the second half, 'keeper Poom made his way round the outside of the pitch after receiving some treatment from Watford hospital.

The Hornets came out for the second half in determined fashion looking to overturn the much talked about decision.

Watford did indeed push forward and just before the hour mark they were level. Smith continued his good run in front of goal by smashing the ball home form six yards, after an almighty scramble in the box. O'Toole header the ball back in and Smith with a bit of space smashed the ball home. 

The drama continued after the equaliser when Boothroyd was sent to the stands by Attwell on the hour mark. But the action seemed to spur the Hornets on and within four minutes the home side had taken the lead.

Once again it was homegrown O'Toole who finished off a sweet passing move. He passed to Hoskins, who slipped him in to the area and the Irishman swept the ball in past Hahnemann and raced off to celebrate with the Rookery.

He received a booking for his troubles but it was a crucial goal as the Hornets fought back the injustice to take a lead in front of a noisy Vicarage Road.

But the Royals still looked dangerous and after their recent goal scoring exploits were full of confidence. 

They immediately looked for an equaliser with Stephen Hunt meeting a deep cross at the far post than was headed just wide.

Watford skipper Jay DeMerit had to be at his best to deny Jimmy Kebe was bearing down on goal.   

On 68 minutes the visitors had a goal disallowed after a ball was launched into the home box. Then with three minutes remaining the Hornets gave way to the pressure as Attwell gave a spot kick for a challenge on Stephen Hunt.

The man himself stepped up and sent Loach the wrong way to ensure the points were shared at Vicarage Road on a mad, mad afternoon in the Championship.  

Watford received a standing ovation from the crowd at the end as the 'Orns had showed typical fighting spirit to fight their way back for a valuable point.