Ex-refs chief shares verdict on Reading disallowed goal vs Brentford as footage re-analysed

Reading were rightly denied an equaliser against Brentford after Paudie O'Connor was penalised for a high boot.

That is according to former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett, who exclusively told Football Insider that O'Connor's spectacular overhead kick was reckless and too close to Mamadou Sangare's head.

Brentford reached the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night after running out 2-1 winners at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

Callum Wilson struck the Bees into an early lead for his second strike in as many cup games, but Reading believed they had netted an equaliser in the 12th minute.

Centre-back O'Connor pulled off a fine overhead kick to beat Ellery Balcombe, but referee Tom Nield disallowed the goal for dangerous play.

Fabio Carvalho went on to double the visitors' lead on the stroke of half-time, with O'Connor's 72nd-minute header ultimately proving to be a consolation.

Keith Hackett insists that Paudie O'Connor goal was correctly disallowed

Royals fans fumed at Nield's decision following the clash, with the chance to upset Premier League opposition taken away from them in part due to the controversial decision.

Replays showed that the 29-year-old did not touch Sangare with his foot, although the Bees midfielder was hindered in his attempt to stop the shot.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Hackett said: "(This was the) correct decision by the referee. That high boot was too close to the head of his opponent, and I would deem it to be reckless. The referee could not ignore that fact and had to sanction it."

Keith Andrews' side have been involved in numerous controversies already this season, with Hackett also telling Football Insider earlier this month that Dan Ballard's goal was rightly disallowed as the Bees held Sunderland to a 1-1 draw.

Leam Richardson has made his feelings clear on the disallowed goal

Reading will have to quickly turn their focus back to League One action ahead of the weekend, as they look to move back into the top half with a win against Notts County.

Royals manager Richardson could not hide his frustration at O'Connor's goal being disallowed after Tuesday's clash, however, as he said: "I genuinely mean this – I think that is possibly in the top three (wrong) decisions that I’ve seen in my career.

"I’ve seen thousands of games and played in hundreds. They’re the easy decisions for me. The lads worked too hard through the week and worked too hard on the pitch….we expect them to get their decisions right.”