Nicky Maynard is in the running to win the 2009 Mitre Goal of the Year award.

The striker's superb goal at QPR on Boxing Day has made the top five for the Goal honour and the winner will be decided on the night at this year's Football League Awards, to be held in London on Sunday, March 14th.

Public voting to slim down the best 20 goals into a final five shortlisted strikes proved successful for Nicky.

"I'd like to thank everyone who voted for the goal," said the delighted striker, when notified of the news.

The goal itself proved only a consolation for City at Loftus Road, but it was a stunning one.

Controlling Gavin Williams' chest-high pass on the edge of the box, Nicky never let the ball hit the ground before finding the net.

The former Crewe forward took the two touches to wriggle away from the home defence before unleashing a superb volley into the top corner of the goal.

Nicky is up against Simon Cox (Swindon), Curtis Weston (Gillingham), Gary Alexander (Millwall) and Adel Taarabt (QPR).

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