Sublime Smith's Finish Is The Ultimate

Smith’s incredible left-foot volley from the corner of the area in his side’s 4-2 first leg win at Gillingham – on a night when the frontman bagged all four goals – claimed 59 per cent of the public vote to land the prize.

Smith, who is on loan at Bristol City from Fulham until tomorrow, had another goal shortlisted in the competition, while Walsall’s Anthony Forde’s pinpoint freekick against Preston North End came second with a third of the votes.

Smith follows in the footsteps of team-mates Aaron Wilbraham and Korey Smith, who both claimed the award in the earlier rounds of the competition.

Smith, 25, said: “I’d like to thank all the supporters who voted for me. It was a special night for me, scoring my first professional hat-trick and then getting a fourth at the end.

“The goals that night were all very different but I agree with those who voted, the volley was probably my best.”

As well as receiving a trophy for his success, Smith will automatically be featured in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Ultimate Finish of the Season competition, which will showcase the tournament’s best goals after the final in March.

Ben Wilde, brand and sponsorship manager for Johnstone’s Paint, said: “A huge congratulations to Matt for winning the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Ultimate Finish prize.

“Matt has been in sensational form for Bristol City and scored all five of his team’s goals over two legs against Gillingham.

“His fourth goal in the first leg really was something special and is a worthy winner of the Ultimate Finish prize.

“It’s certainly going to be tough for supporters to pick an overall winner this season.”

Johnstone’s Paint, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2015, has been bringing colour to the beautiful game through its sponsorship of the Football League Trophy during the last nine years.