UFO lands to help Royals salvage a point at Watford

In a game characterised by one of the strangest 'goals' you are ever likely to see, Reading managed to scrape a point at Watford as the indifferent away form continued. The overall performance will inevitably be overshadowed by the incident in the 14th minute which led Hornet's boss Adi Boothroyd to be sent to the stands and later describe it as 'like a UFO landing'. Noel Hunt attempted to hook the ball back into play from about two yards wide of the goal and it appeared to have crossed the dead ball line, everyone on the pitch and in the crowd believed the ref and assistant had decided on a goal kick to Watford. Astonishingly, and two everyone's bemusement, the assistant spoke to the referee and a goal to Reading was awarded. It's almost inconceivable that this could ever be given as a goal, and is worth seeing again just to believe it actually happened. There was some suggestion afterwards that we should have allowed Watford to equalise, such was the injustice of the scoreline, but as Steve Coppell said, it's not for players to right the wrongs of officials.  There's a bit more here to explain further the whole affair.

Anyway, we conceded two in the second half and looked to be heading for another defeat when after good work down the left from Stephen Hunt, Shane Long was clearly brought down in the box. I wonder if the ref was tempted to ignore the incident after realising his earlier mistake, but Hunt Senior sent the keeper the wrong way and we had our first away point since the opening weekend of the season. 

Let's be honest, we would have lost without a bizarre decision that will surely haunt the ref and his assistant for years to come. Once again we're unable to replicate our red hot home form, and with a trip to Molineux the next stop on our travels, it's a concern.