A MATCH-WINNING strike in front of the Gallowgate end where he stood as a fan - Alan Shearer couldn't have written a better script himself for his 200th Newcastle goal.

According to the Newcastle skipper there is no better place to be a number nine or to score goals than St James' Park, and he now stands alongside Jackie Milburn in the Magpies' hall of fame.

It may not have been in front of a full-house, or against Chelsea or Manchester United, but its importance to Graeme Souness cannot be underestimated.

"I've played in a lot of countries and a lot of cities all over the world and I can say that there's not a better place to score goals than here at Newcastle for a centre-forward, a number nine," said the 35-year-old, who scored his first for Newcastle against Wimbledon on August 21, 1996.

"If I had a choice then I would have chosen to do it here at St James Park at the Gallowgate End, so from that point of view it's been great.

"But at my age I can't be choosy and I've just got to take what comes along. But it's come here so it couldn't of happened at a better time or a better place. It's in the FA Cup where Jackie had some great times.

"I'm just so delighted and pleased it's happened here in front of all the family and the wife.

"It's my mum, Anne's 60th tomorrow (Sunday), so she'll enjoy that and she can have that one."

Shearer has refused to talk about joining Milburn on the 200-mark this season, with the striker aware he could be one serious injury away from ending his career just short of the Ashington legend.

A four game wait since his last goal at West Ham was ended with an 80th minute strike on Saturday low into the far corner of Kevin Pressman's net from eight yards.

"It's been on my mind but it's not been a problem," said Shearer. "I was always confident and I've made a point of never talking about it until it happened because I didn't think it was right until it happened because you never know what's around the corner in football.

"All I was brought up on was how great he (Milburn) was. I've seen pictures and videos of him but I never had the pleasure of meeting him.

"I met his son and family but I think what strikes me most, and what everyone tells me, is that he was a man of the people.

"I think that's very very important. I came back here in 1996 for whatever fee, £15m or £16m, and I was bought to score goals.

"I never dreamed of something like this when I signed, never in a million years did I think I would be sat up there with Jackie.

"It wouldn't bother me at all if I didn't score again because just to see my name alongside the great Jackie Milburn is a great honour for me.

"This has to be up there with everything I've ever done in football."

Despite equalling the record Shearer was keen to hand credit to Mansfield and, with just ten minutes left on the clock, his first emotion was relief when the ball hit the back of the net.

"You might not believe me but the fact that it was the winner and that put us into the next round is probably more important than me equalling the record," said Shearer.

"When I scored I felt a mixture of joy and relief although that fact that I've equalled the record should not overshadow what was a great performance by Mansfield.

"It has been a tough time for us recently. No one is trying to hide that fact.

"We're not playing great, silky football but in the FA Cup it's all about getting through to the next round and we've done that.

"It's a bit early to talk about going on to win it - that's dreamland - but we're in the next round.

"Now we've got another week to get a few more players off the treatment table and fit again and work on one or two things. You don't get anywhere without hard work.

"We're lacking a bit of quality and that's there for all to see but the longer the weeks and days go on we might get the ball players out again and start picking up the points to help us climb the table."

And the shirt?

"I'll keep the shirt and probably donate it to the museum here."

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