IT seemed somehow fitting that the plaudits to Alan Shearer were led by two players who know exactly what playing for Newcastle United is all about.

Shay Given is in his ninth year at St James' Park, and Lee Clark is the one Newcastle player who was on the pitch for goal number one against Wimbledon in August, 1996, and number 200 on Saturday.

"It's a fantastic milestone and he's equalled the great Jackie Milburn, who's a legend here," said Given, who revealed he was hoping for a successful conclusion to his contract talks in the near future.

"You've got to look at Alan as a legend as well now and I'm sure that in 20 or 30 years people will still be talking about him.

"We knew that he would equal it one day, especially when he decided to stay on for another season, but it's a brilliant achievement for him and it's great that he did it in front of his own people at St James' Park.

"He's already got a bar named after him and, who knows, maybe he'll get a stand now! I'm sure there'll be a few statues flying around, that's for certain.

"He's got us through to the next round and it was a very important goals as well as one which equalled the record. He's made a habit of getting us out of trouble.

"When Alan retires it's a big gap to fill, but I'm sure the club know that, that they've got to bring someone in.

"I'm sure there are some young players who've moulded themselves on Alan. He's very strong and holds the ball up exceptionally well, never mind all the goals he scores.

"If you look at the likes of (Thierry) Henry, maybe they're quicker, but they're not as strong in the air."

Clark was delighted to salute the achievements of a fellow Geordie saying: "He was always going to do it in dramatic style wasn't he?

"It's typical of him. In a way that's the best way for it to have happened, you wouldn't have wanted it to be in a five-nil win or a consolation goal somewhere.

"It was a decisive goal in a cup match which, in all honesty, looked like it was going to go to a replay.

"It's a fantastic achievement so it's fitting it was a goal which wins a game. I can only comment on Alan because I've only heard about Jackie Milburn. I've only seen really old bits of footage, but I've been privileged enough to play with Alan.

"I was here when he first arrived when he was the best striker in Europe, if not the world. I've come back and he is still knocking the goals in and he will continue to knock them in until he retires.

"He's the best I've played with and the best the Premiership has ever seen. If he isn't the best Newcastle striker of all time, he is certainly as good as any that have come before him.

"It's great that generations of Geordie kids will grow up with the name of Alan Shearer in their heads just like Alan grew up with Jackie's.

"He will be remembered by everyone and he fully deserves his place in history."

The Newcastle duo were joined in their praise by Mansfield goalkeeper Kevin Pressman, with the goal conceded by the former Sheffield Wednesday keeper on Saturday making it six against Shearer in his last two appearances at St James' Park.

Pressman was at the wrong end of an 8-0 drubbing back in 1999, when Sir Bobby Robson's first home game in charge of Newcastle saw the Magpies run riot against Wednesday with Shearer grabbing five.

"He's always probing, always looking for the space behind the defenders, always looking for that one opening, always playing off the shoulder of the last defender and you just cannot take your eye off him for one second," he said.

"He's always a threat whether it's the first minute, the 91st minute, or the 81st.

"That is why he's had the career like he has.

"You can't complain when players like him achieve what he has. He's just a fantastic advert for football.

"He's a credit to the game without a doubt, he's the type of player that every club would want to use an example to the youngsters coming through on their books - an example of how to conduct yourself and how to be a professional."

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