Mackail-Smith felt his stunner should have counted

Hatters striker Craig Mackail-Smith was left gutted his stunning strike hadn’t counted against Mansfield Town at the weekend.
Craig Mackail-Smith saw this wonderful overhead volley disallowed for offsideCraig Mackail-Smith saw this wonderful overhead volley disallowed for offside
Craig Mackail-Smith saw this wonderful overhead volley disallowed for offside

The summer signing produced a truly marvellous acrobatic volley from Josh McQuoid’s cross that flew past Brian Jensen only to see his celebrations cut short by the linesman’s flag.

Mackail-Smith said: “It was disappointing as I felt like I was onside. I know I started offside when Josh was cutting in, but I made up the ground to get back onside so when I hit the shot and it went in, the defender was behind me.

“It was disappointing the decision went against me. Maybe you give the benefit of the doubt to the striker, but it’s gone now, I move and maybe try to do that again this season!”

Assistant boss Terry Harris would have loved to see the goal count too, as he said: “Craig’s absolutely fantastic, he works his socks off and doesn’t give defenders a moment’s peace.

“I was really, really disappointed the offside goal didn’t stand. Was it offside? From where I was I really don’t know. He didn’t think it was, Craig that is, and that would have been a top, top goal to see, but unfortunately it was disallowed.”

Mackail-Smith has now had two wonderful efforts disallowed at the Oak Road end this season, with another against Oxford also being adjudged offside by the officials.

It would see the former Brighton man on five goals rather than the three he has managed, as he added: “It’s disappointing, sitting on five would be fantastic, but it’s nice to be on three goals and nice to get a few chances.

“Even if it’s disallowed, it’s still going into the back of the net so gives me confidence that I know I can find the net.

“It’s just a case of doing what I’m doing week in week out so hopefully more chances drop to me and I can put more goals away.”