Graphic: how to take the lead without putting the ball in the net

The youngest referee to have officiated in the Barclays Premier League is in hot water after his role in what is being described as the worst decision of all time.

Stuart Atwell, 25, became the youngest top-flight referee in August when he took charge of the 1-1 draw between Blackburn Rovers and Hull City, but he has hit the headlines for the wrong reasons after awarding the goal that never was on Saturday.

Atwell allowed Reading’s opening goal in their 2-2 draw with Watford at Vicarage Road after Nigel Bannister, an assistant referee, flagged for a goal. Bannister and Attwell failed to spot that the ball crossed the byline and not the goalline after a challenge between John Eustace, the Watford midfield player, and Noel Hunt, the Reading striker.

Reading players did not appeal for the “goal”, but that did not stop Attwell giving Steve Coppell’s team a 1-0 lead. Paul Rejer, of the Professional Game Match Officials Board, has said that Bannister will receive advice about his responsibilties this week.

“It appears an error has been made and it will be reviewed,” Rejer said. “The assistant gave what he saw and if it is incorrect we will give him operational advice. From his position and angle it appeared the ball had crossed the line for a goal.”

Adrian Boothroyd, the Watford manager, was sent to the stands for complaining about the decision. “The linesman decided it was a goal,” he said afterwards. “I asked him about it and he said it was an optical illusion.”