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The goal is mine

5/ 5/2004

MATT Tipton said he is claiming the goal which re-writes the record books at Moss Rose.

The in-form striker said after his side's vital 2-1 victory over Oxford, that he wants recognition for the second goal, which took a giant deflection off Us striker Jefferson Loius which would see him take a place at the top of macc's all-time league goalscorers chart.

Although initially the goal was thought to be the second 'og' of the game, Tipton said the shot was already goal-bound.

He said: "The rule is clear, the ball was going into the net before it was deflected so it is my goal. To tell you the truth I didn't even consider it could ever have been awarded as an own goal."

He added: "It's a rare thing for a striker to get 20 goals, especially in a side that has been struggling, so I am keen to have the goal awarded to me, which is only fair."

His views were echoed by manager Brian Horton. "Matthew has had a magnificent season and he deserves the goal. It was going in anyway before it got the deflection. It was definitely his goal."

"You make your own luck in football, and knowing Tippy he will definitely be claiming it."

The club have sent a video of the goal to the league's 'dubious goals' panel, who will have the final say on whether Tipton will be granted his 20th strike of the season.

A club spokesman said: "We have sent a copy of the video to the Football League. Their 'dubious goals' panel will look at the evidence and make their decision."

"We know that Tippy will want to have the goal credited and we are pretty sure that Jefferson Loius would not be too upset to have an own goal taken away from him."