ANDY Goodenough has apologised to Shrewton United after scoring a controversial winning goal in Monday's derby match at Meadow Lane.

The embarrassed Westbury United striker sparked off heated arguments after firing the ball into the net on 88 minutes, after everyone else had stopped playing.

With the score at 0-0, play was halted for Shrewton goalkeeper Adam Burwell to receive treatment for a head injury.

From the resulting drop ball, Westbury's Rob Taylor sportingly knocked the ball back in the direction of Burwell but, unaware of what was happening, Goodenough nipped in to slot the ball past the bewildered keeper.

Comparisons have since been made with Marc Overmars' winner for Arsenal against Sheffied United in an FA Cup fifth round match in 1999. That match was replayed but Westbury's three points will stand.

Goodenough, who had only been on as a substitute for 20 minutes, insists it was a genuine mistake.

He said: "If I could turn the clock back I would. That has never happened to me before and probably never will again.

"I was in the box minding my own business when the ball came to me and I instinctively smashed it home. I didn't know where it had come from.

"It was an honest mistake and when I realised what had happened I was not at all proud of myself."

Goodenough, 33, has written a letter of apology to Shrewton.

He said: "There is no way I would do that on purpose. There was nothing to win or lose in that game for either side.

"All I can do is apologise and say that I did not mean to do it. I am very embarrassed.

"I thought it was our throw in and the ball had come to me from there. I did not realise the play had been stopped."

The first 88 minutes of this bank holiday fixture had been largely forgettable, with Darren Lush and Martin Little dominant in Westbury's defence and Martin Bragger and Nick Jones likewise for Shrewton.

Chances were scarce, Burwell made saves from Nick Beales and Jerad O'Pray and Goodenough was inches from scoring on 75 minutes when Jones cleared his header off the line.

For Shrewton, Jesse Walters and Dean Foot were a constant threat up front and were both denied by good saves from goalkeeper Mark Batters.

Westbury United manager Derek Graham gave the under fire striker his support, insisting that it was an honest mistake.

He said: "It was an absolute nightmare. Andy didn't know what was going on and I have to admit nor did I for a bit.

"He celebrated the goal but only because he didn't know what he had done. Anyone who had realised what had happened was not celebrating.

"After the match Andy was absolutely devastated. There was no way he would have done that on purpose."

He continued: "It is such a shame because we normally get on really well with Shrewton, but after the game they went straight home and who could blame them.

"We were amazed the referee didn't disallow the goal for something. He could have said anything and we would not have complained, in fact we would have congratulated him."

The defeat leaves Shrewton one point behind Westbury in ninth position in the Screwfix League first division.

Shrewton vice-chairman Dave Logan said: "It totally went against the spirit of the game. It was disgusting behaviour and we are writing letters of complaint to the various organisations.

"We don't blame the official because like he said there was nothing he could do in the rules of the game.

"The worst thing was their celebrations when it went in. I couldn't believe it and I thought our players kept their heads well."