Watford manager Tom Cleverley feels 'top referees' should be in charge of key Championship games at this stage of the season after hitting out at a decision which could potentially cost Leeds United.

The Hornets lost 3-2 to Southampton on Saturday with a goal in the 99th minute, despite only seven minutes of extra-time being added on. The win means the Saints could now catch Leeds in third should they get maximum points from their two games in hand, which would also put them within touching distance of Leicester City and Ipswich Town.

But while Cleverley admits the result will have little baring on Watford's season - the Hornets are eight points above the relegation zone with just three games to play - he feels the ramifications for the likes of Leeds, Leicester and Ipswich of the big decision at St Mary's could be costly, and he has called for experienced referees to be used in crunch games.

Watford had fought back from two goals down to square the match at 2-2 before Flynn Downes scored a dramatic late winner for Southampton. The goal stood despite appeals for handball and the fact it happened two minutes over the allotted added time infuriated Cleverley, who also felt Sekou Mara could have been sent off earlier in the game for the hosts.

"That is the biggest source of my frustration,” he said. “The red card incident on Ryan Porteous was a genuine mistake. The fact that the corner gets delivered in the 98th minute after seven were added on is a worry.

“It's not affected the way our campaign ends so much, but when there are hundreds of millions of pounds on the line for Leeds, Ipswich and Leicester, I think they could argue that the top referees should be in charge of these games.

"I will never, ever have a go for genuine mistakes. I'm disappointed the corner was taken. I am struggling to see how we've led to that after the 98th minute. The whole thing should never happen and I think this is where you need someone strong for sure in the game."

Southampton will now play twice before Leeds kick another ball, firstly against Preston North End at home tonight and then on Saturday when they travel to Cardiff City. Daniel Farke's men have to wait until next Monday night to play Middlesbrough at the Riverside before an away trip against QPR and that final-day Elland Road clash with Southampton rounds off their scheduled fixtures.

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