Derby defy VAR decision to knock out Southampton on penalties

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Derby County's Harry Wilson scores their first goal (not pictured) Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

SOUTHAMPTON, England (Reuters) - Championship side Derby County hit back from two goals down to beat Premier League Southampton on penalties in an FA Cup third-round replay marred by another VAR controversy on Wednesday.

Frank Lampard's Derby side were denied what looked like a good goal in the first half by a marginal VAR decision and Southampton then scored twice midway through the second half through Stuart Armstrong and substitute Nathan Redmond.

With Southampton closing in on an away tie at Accrington Stanley, Derby, just as they did in the first match at Pride Park, hit back to level at 2-2 with Harry Wilson and Martyn Waghorn taking the game into extra time.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Southampton's Nathan Redmond misses a penalty during a penalty shootout Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

After a scoreless 30 minutes Derby were ruthless in the penalty shootout, scoring all five of their kicks while Redmond put his effort high and wide.

Captain Richard Keogh's effort sealed Derby's progress.

"I'm delighted for the team and the squad. The work rate they put in there, having to come through VAR going against us in really small margins," Lampard, a four-times FA Cup winner with Chelsea, said.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Derby County's Martyn Waghorn celebrates with team mates after the match Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

"They worked so hard and they were great penalties at the end and great courage from the lads."

Derby again played some enterprising football and thought they had taken the lead in the first half when Craig Bryson slotted past Angus Gunn only for referee Anthony Taylor, after a delay of several minutes, to rule out the goal because of an offside against Waghorn during the build-up.

Even television replays failed to really show whether Waghorn had been on or off.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Derby County's Richard Keogh celebrates scoring a penalty during a penalty shootout with Kelle Roos Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

"We can't tell if that's offside at all, we've been looking at it for five or six minutes now," BBC pundit Alan Shearer said at halftime. "We are talking about millimetres. VAR wasn't brought in for this.

"If they can't make a decision after watching a replay two or three times then it is not obvious. Derby have been very hard done by."

When Armstrong nodded in after Shane Long's header in the 68th minute had been cleared off the line and Redmond raced through to finish with a neat chip, it looked as though Derby's misery was complete and VAR would be the main talking point.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Derby County's Richard Keogh scores a penalty during a penalty shootout Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

But Wilson's free kick went through a crowd of players into the far corner -- VAR again being consulted before the goal was allowed to stand -- and he then provided a superb cross for Waghorn to thump a header past Angus Gunn.

Both sides had chances in the extra 30 minutes with Tom Lawrence heading over for Derby while Redmond was denied by keeper Kelle Roos after being played through by Oriol Romeu.

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Southampton's Jannik Vestergaard reacts after the match REUTERS/David Klein

(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis)

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Derby County's Tom Lawrence scores a penalty during the shootout Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Derby County's Richard Keogh scores a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Southampton's Matt Targett scores a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Derby County's Mason Mount scores a penalty during a penalty shootout REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Southampton's Nathan Redmond in action REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Southampton's Sam Gallagher in action with Derby County's Mason Mount REUTERS/David Klein

Soccer Football - FA Cup Third Round Replay - Southampton v Derby County - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - January 16, 2019 Southampton's James Ward-Prowse shoots at goal Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge