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Gareth Fullerton

'Go-go gadget neck' - Shay McCartan reacts to controversial goal as Stephen Baxter hits out

Shay McCartan put his controversial opening goal against Crusaders down to having a 'go-go gadget neck'.

The Glentoran forward appeared to handle the ball in the lead-up to the goal as the East Belfast side recorded a massive 2-0 win at the BetMcLean Oval.

McCartan stretched to reach Rhys Marshall's deflected shot, with the ball appearing to strike his hand before nestling in the net.

Read more: Shay McCartan double gives Glentoran the win in controversial circumstances

Crusaders' players remonstrated with referee Tony Clarke but the goal was awarded.

McCartan added a second with a sweetly struck free-kick.

Asked about his goals, McCartan told Glentoran's YouTube channel: "The first one, I read Rhys (Marshall) was taking a shot, and it was just go-go gadget neck. I got my neck in like that there and tapped it in.

"The second (goal) was a free-kick. (Jonny) Tuffey got a hand to it but it went in. Two goals and I am delighted."

Glens manager Rodney McAree accepted his side may have "got away with one" with McCartan's opening goal.

He told the BBC: "I haven't seen it and that's the God's-honest truth.

"But obviously they were saying he has put it in with his hand. If he has, he has. I haven't seen it.

"It is probably instinctive if he has and it's a natural reaction in that position. If you put your hand out and it goes into the net, so be it.

"We have maybe got away with one if that's the case, but at the end of the day I am just happy with three points."

Meanwhile, Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter admitted the nature of the defeat left a bitter taste, and even compared it to Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' moment at the 1986 World Cup finals.

He told the BBC: "Our immediate thoughts are we have been done by a goal that was never a goal. When you see the boy diving and handling the ball into the net, it was like Maradona in the World Cup.

"So that's disappointing when you go behind to a goal that shouldn't stand."

Baxter added: "The referee and his team have apologised for making such a crucial, bad decision in a football match of this magnitude.

"So when they are telling you they got it wrong so badly, it is hard to take. But that's football.

"Anyone can make a genuine mistake, but it is hard when it comes at this level."

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