HE has scored goals up and down the country since Manchester United sold him to Rotherham United 13 years ago.

To go back to Old Trafford and put the skids on their championship drive with a late equaliser must surely rank as one of Goater's most memorable moments. And he made a piece of history in the process...the nine seconds he took to score is the fastest goal ever scored in the 10-year-old Premiership by a substitute, beating the goal scored after 13 seconds by Jamie Cureton for Norwich against Chelsea eight years ago.

Because Manchester United are probably the most supported English club in Bermuda, Goater's effort would have broken quite a few hearts on Sunday morning as the equaliser denied United the chance to close the gap on leaders Arsenal.

Even though the 32-year-old Bermudian has lost his starting place in the City team since the arrival of Robbie Fowler a couple of weeks ago, Goater continues to give manager Kevin Keegan something to think about with important goals and an attitude befitting of a professional athlete. When Goater vowed, on a Manchester website, to fight Fowler for his place, favourable responses poured in from fans all over the world, begging him not to leave and praising his contribution to the club.

It is a standing which has only been enhanced since his latest exploit which took his tally to three goals against the 'enemy' this season. The City fans, to whom he dedicated the derby goals, have paid Goater some glowing compliments, like suggesting a stand at the new ground be named after him or that a statute of him be erected outside the ground.

Here is what they had to say about the Bermudian who will forever hold a special place in their hearts:

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"Shaun is simply the greatest player to have put on the sky blue shirt since at least the days of Bell, Summerbee and Lee, if not ever. For all those too young to remember those days (I'm a borderline case here) then Shaun is the authentic City legend. Call him a great goal-bagger, call him the Rag-slayer, call him a gentleman footballer, Shaun is the pride of all Blues. He deserves the highest accolades from City when he finally stops playing, and City fans should make sure that this happens." - Heidelberg Blue, Heidelberg, Germany.

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"I saw the Goat last summer whilst on holiday in Turkey. I was a little drunk but he still took the time to speak to me. What a gentleman. Lets honour him in the highest possible way and name a pie after him to be sold in the new stadium." - Barry Horne, Preston.

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"Give him whatever he wants, he deserves it. He plays with a passion matched only by the fans that shout his name. It's nice to see the Goat being able to do his thing in the Premiership even if the United fans still don't rate him, he is quality. He is also a great asset to the team in the way he pulls everyone together. After his goal he was the first to run up to Fowler and get him involved in the celebrations. Maybe they should have a bronze statue made of him to look over the new stadium or maybe I'm getting carried away! Long live the Goat." - Roger, Torquay.

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"Has to be a testimonial. Think of Shaun's contribution over the last five years - goals in three promotion seasons and he scored 14 when we went down last, in a season when he was injured for the first time. Did anyone see the 30m man's face as it sailed into the net? What a waste of money, ha ha!" - Chris, Northenden.

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"We should honour the Goat with a street name (or something) at the new stadium. Everyone talks about greats like Bell, Summerbee and Lee, but Shaun Goater is a legend for the supporter of today. He has been the major contribution to the most enjoyable period of our history since the late 1960s and early 70s. Okay the relegation to Division Three seemed the worst moment of our history, but it represented a rebirth of our great club... 35,000 fans every week, Wembley win, promotion, relegation, Kev Keegan, First Division champs, new stadium and hopefully a return to European footy and more? During this period the Goat has bagged 103 goals and deserves some sort of accolade and a contract for life!" - Chris, Chorlton.

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"Shaun is one of the best allround players in the country. He is a prime example of a down to earth guy who loves his football and doesn't pretend he's something he's not. He is genuinely excited when he scores, he loves his fans and he uses his success to teach young kids in Bermuda during his summer break. He's got a great family, he's a good laugh...need I go on? There is NOTHING this guy can do wrong!" - Dave, Stockport.

l It looks North Village for the league and Hamilton Parish and Southampton Rangers for promotion...but the two relegation places are still too tight to call with only two matches remaining.

Devonshire Cougars kept the race open with a 5-1 victory over bottom team PHC in midweek, a result that moves them to within two points of leaders Village. The scoreline was somewhat surprising from PHC's point of view considering their predicament at the bottom of the tables.

A victory would have taken the Zebras out of the bottom two, but they not only lost but lost badly which is also what happened to Devonshire Colts against Cougars a week ago and Eagles against Village on the weekend. None of the three bottom clubs have helped themselves in the goal difference department which could be critical in two matches time.

Cougars' win still means that Village have to drop points in their last two matches in order for them to win their first league title. Based on PHC's performance on Tuesday night, it isn't likely to happen, which would take the title race down to the final games on March 2 when Village entertain Town and Cougars host Somerset Trojans.

All that is dependent on Cougars not losing to Boulevard at BAA Field. tonight, for even a draw and a Village win the next day would confirm them as champions for the second straight season.

At the other end of the table, four teams are still battling to avoid the bottom two places, with only three points separating Somerset Trojans from PHC. Sandwiched in between are Devonshire Colts and Somerset Eagles.

PHC know they have to beat Village on Sunday - a tall order - while also hoping that Devonshire Colts and Somerset Eagles don't win their matches. Colts are at home to Dandy Town at White Hill while Eagles travel west to meet neighbours Somerset Trojans in a crucial match for both teams.

The relegation issue is likely to be settled on the last day on March 2 when PHC meet Devonshire Colts, Eagles host Boulevard and Somerset travel to meet Devonshire Cougars.

The First Division race is showing Hamilton Parish and Southampton Rangers leading the pack, with only Ireland Rangers and Prospect still in contention for the second spot. Rangers helped themselves in the last five days, eliminating both Wolves and St. George's from the promotion equation and now they can strengthen their grip on second place with four matches remaining.

Rangers are at home to St. David's on Sunday while leaders Hamilton Parish, with three straight draws and an injury to their main goalkeeper Dwayne Astwood which brought Jeremy Fray from the sidelines, should get back to winning ways against Paget at St. David's. That would make promotion a virtual formality as two teams cannot realistically catch them.

Parish would then only need to draw with Prospect on March 2 and Ireland Rangers on March 16 to be certain of returning to the top division.

Sunday's other matches see Social Club meeting Wolves at Bernard Park and Prospect taking on St. George's at Police Field at 3.00.