Watford will feel hard done by after being held by Reading to a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road.
Late penalty sees Reading snatch a point at Watford
Watford will feel hard done by after being held by Reading to a 2-2 draw at Vicarage Road on Saturday.
The visitors took the lead in bizarre fashion when linesman Nigel Bannister amazingly flagged for a goal after the ball crossed the goal-line wide of the actual goal following a coming together between John Eustace and Noel Hunt.
Despite not a single Reading player appealing for the 'goal' 25-year-old referee Stuart Attwell gave Steve Coppell's men a surprise 1-0 lead.
Watford managed to pick themselves off the floor and level matters through Tommy Smith before John-Joe O'Toole put the home side ahead.
However, the visitors had the final say with Stephen Hunt netting from the penalty spot as The Royals somehow managed to avoid defeat.
The day started badly for Watford when goalkeeper Mart Poom raced out to clear the ball with a header after a ball over the top was chased by Kevin Doyle.
But the Estonia international landed awkwardly and dislocated his shoulder, forcing Boothroyd to hand a first league appearance to 20-year-old Scott Loach.
Farcical opener
Steve Coppell's side then took the lead in farcical circumstances in the 13th minute.
Stephen Hunt whipped in a corner to the near post which was contested by Noel Hunt and Eustace at the near post.
The ball bounced over the line - four yards wide of the near post - before being hooked back into play by Noel Hunt.
Andre Bikey headed back toward goal where Loach made a save but the linesman had already flagged.
Incredibly Attwell gave the goal to total bemusement around the stadium.
The rest of the opening period was flat as players and crowd alike struggled to come to terms with the goal but Boothroyd's side were superb after the break and drew level in the 57th minute.
Jon Harley's inswinging free-kick from the right was not dealt with and after O'Toole headed the ball back into the danger zone, Smith swivelled expertly before planting a powerful shot high into the roof of the net.
Emphatic finish
It was an emphatic finish from the former Derby man and threatened to settle down a fiery atmosphere.
But just a few minutes later Boothroyd was sent to the stands by Attwell after protesting against a decision to reverse a throw in.
It was the latest in a series of decision to go against the home side but they were ahead in the 64th-minute after an excellent goal.
A ball forward was held up well by Will Hoskins and the forward flicked the ball over his head for O'Toole to collect.
The youngster chested the ball down before lashing a left-footed shot past Marcus Hahnemann to notch for the fourth consecutive home game.
The home fans were now in raptures and their mood was further enhanced when Attwell - correctly - ruled out a Bikey header at the other end for a push.
But Attwell ensured that he would have a hand in the result when he gave an 87th-minute penalty to the Royals for a Eustace trip on Stephen Hunt.
It looked a fair decision and the Republic of Ireland international stepped up to smash confidently into the top-right corner.
