Freddie Sears fired past Dean Gerken into the bottom corner, with the ball bouncing straight back out of the net after hitting the stanchion, but Shoebridge inexplicably ruled that the ball had not gone in and awarded a goal kick to City, who went on to win the match 1-0.

Here we look back at some other memorable gaffes.

DEREK WEBB, Coventry v Crystal Palace, 1980

In similar circumstances to Sears, Allen "scored" one of the most controversial disallowed goals of all time in Palace's 3-1 defeat at Coventry. Allen curled a stunning free-kick into the top left hand corner where it rebounded off the stanchion and back into play. Webb inexplicably waved play despite Palace's strenuous protests. Allen later referred to it as the "best goal I've never scored".

STUART ATTWELL, Watford v Reading, 2008

Attwell's decision to award Reading a "phantom" goal for a shot which missed the target in a Coca-Cola Championship match ranks as one of the most peculiar decisions in football history. Stephen Hunt's corner hit Watford's John Eustace and rebounded out for another corner, or so everyone thought. But, after consultation with his linesman, Attwell awarded a goal - a decision even Hunt labelled as "the worst decision I've ever witnessed".

MATTEO SIMONE TREFOLONI, Celtic v AaB Aalborg, 2008

The Italian official made the headlines after an otherwise drab 0-0 draw in the Champions League when he dismissed a bemused Michael Beauchamp in the closing stages at Celtic Park.

That Beauchamp had not committed a foul was deemed irrelevant and Michael Jakobsen, who was the true culprit, remained on the pitch. Beauchamp had his card rescinded following the match.

GRAHAM POLL, Australia v Croatia, 2006

Poll's long and distinguished refereeing career will be remembered predominantly for his highest-profile error. Poll came into the World Cup in Germany with high hopes of being chosen for the final but was one of 14 officials who exited after the group stages following his perplexing decision to award Josip Simunic two yellow cards but not a red. The Croatian did not prove untouchable though and eventually got his marching orders after being cautioned by the Tring official for a third time.

MARK HALSEY, Tottenham v Chelsea, 2002

Another case of mistaken identity as Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was punished for a foul which had actually been committed by the significantly taller, significantly bigger, significantly more dreadlocked Mario Melchiot. The FA, after reviewing TV evidence and consulting with the apologetic referee, later agreed to transfer the ban to Melchiot. It was scant consolation for Chelsea, though, who lost the Worthington Cup clash to Spurs.

CHARLES CORVER, France v Germany, 1982

Even more reluctant than Poll to produce a red card, Corver amazed the watching football world by failing to take action against German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher when he totalled Patrick Battiston as he chased Michel Platini's through-ball. Battiston was eventually taken from the pitch unconscious and took a lengthy period of time to recover. Instead of producing a card or awarding a penalty, Corver inscrutably signalled for a goal kick, a decision which put Germany on the road to an eventual win on penalties.

MARK CLATTENBURG, Manchester United v Tottenham, 2005

Attwell may take some consolation from this incident, where Roy Carroll dragged back Pedro Mendes' spectacular chip from comfortably two feet beyond the line. Even Mendes, who was on the halfway line when he struck the shot, could see it was a goal but after consultation with the linesman, Carroll's desperate salvage job was deemed a success. The game finished 0-0, thus robbing Spurs of a famous win.