Referees need help. That is the only conclusion I can draw after a series of high-profile mistakes by match officials over the past few weeks. They are making a mockery of themselves and the sooner we bring in video technology to help them the better.

The amazing error in the 2-2 draw between Watford and Reading at Vicarage Road on Saturday served only to highlight my point. How was that ever a Reading goal? A referee's assistant missed it, the referee missed it, they had a good chat about it ... and they still got it wrong.

OK, it is human nature and when you trust in it mistakes will happen. But whereas that might have been tolerated, even accepted, in the 1960s, it is just not good enough in 2008. The modern game does not allow it and nor should it.

Referees are trying to do the right thing, but regularly, it seems, some are not capable of it. And what happens? Many will not admit their failings, the refereeing bodies close ranks and off we go again.

Why can't those same bodies stand up and say that they need assistance? Why can't some of the officials do the same? The referees and their assistants look like nervous wrecks before the match. And after the game they are cannon fodder for everyone.

It does not help with all the television cameras on them, examining their decisions from every angle. The eagle-eyed match assessor is probably more of a hindrance than a help, too.

But referees are getting so much wrong that something has got to change. The use of video technology, surely, would increase the chances of the right decisions being made.

And what of that goal at Vicarage Road? Should Reading have allowed Watford to “score” an equaliser? Well, really, it was up to Steve Coppell, the Reading manager, to give the nod to his players. Like referees, managers and players also have a duty to the game. After all, it is riddled with enough cheating as it is.

Had I still been playing, I would have let Watford score. Of course I would. Honest.