Watford vs Reading in 2008 played host to one of the craziest moments in English football history.In fact, we'd probably go as far as to say that the 'ghost goal' scored on that fateful afternoon at Vicarage Road might be the most baffling that your humble GIVEMESPORT writer has ever seen.Whether it's the absence of goal-line technology, faulty nets or linesmen having their view obstructed, there have been countless examples of 'ghost goals' where they are at least broadly understandable.
The weird world of 'ghost goals'
Sure, Frank Lampard should have made it 2-2 for England at the 2010 World Cup, but those sorts of goal-line errors weren't all that uncommon in a world before Hawk-Eye and their vibrating watches.
However, if you were to show someone footage of what happened in Watford vs Reading all those years ago for the very first time, they'd struggle to explain how a goal was possibly awarded.
So, let's revisit that chaotic afternoon and try our best to walk through an officiating error that will no doubt continue to be discussed in the annals of English football history.
English football's craziest ever goal?
Thirteen minutes into the Championship clash, Reading took the lead in what would ultimately go down as a John Eustace own goal despite the fact, well, there wasn't a goal in the first place.
Stephen Hunt had swung in a corner for the visitors, which duly hit Eustace's thigh, before Noel Hunt chased after the ball in an attempt to cut it back that ultimately ended with the chance fizzling out.
Assistant referee Nigel Bannister then raised his flag in a gesture that was originally interpreted as a goal-kick, but was ultimately revealed to be a signal for a goal after he spoke to referee Stuart Attwell.
It was assumed that the linesman believed the ball to have been inside the post as opposed to two yards outside of it, but you can make up your own mind on arguably English football's wildest ever goal by rewatching it below:
Goodness gracious me. It doesn't get any less extraordinary, does it?
How on earth?!
Knowing the reason that the goal was given in rough detail means you can understand ever so slightly why it might have been confusing, but it never looks for a moment to have crossed the line.
Besides, even Hunt - who ultimately profited from the goal in what finished as a 2-2 draw - openly labelled it: "Probably the worst decision I've ever witnessed in football," according to the Guardian.
"A monumental howler," was the input from Watford boss Aidy Boothroyd, while the 'own goal scorer' himself, Eustace, described the decision as "shocking", "ridiculous" and "embarrassing".
WATFORD - UNITED KINGDOM - SEPTEMBER 20: Referee Stuart Attwell (L) and his assistant leave the pitch after the Coca-Cola Football League Championship match between Watford and Reading at Vicarage Road Stadium September 20, 2008 in Watford, England. (Photo Ian Walton/Getty Images)
And you can understand the bewilderment from both sides in what will surely endure as an obscure and novel moment of English football history that will be always be joked about in pubs around the country.
It just goes to show that 'ghost goals' can continue to haunt years down the line...