Former England skipper Alan Shearer has equalled Newcastle United legend Jackie Milburn’s scoring record by scoring his 200th goal for the Magpies.

The 35 year-old striker scored his 200th goal for Newcastle with an 80th-minute goal against Mansfield in Saturday's FA Cup 1-0 win. Shearer's 200th goal came in his 389th appearance for the Magpies, making it an average of more than 1 goal in two games, a superb tally.

“Thanks to the goal this will be an afternoon I will cherish for the rest of my life. It was fantastic.” said.

“All my family was here which was important. It's my Mum's 60th birthday tomorrow, so she can have that one.”

“They are always here watching the game, and that just made it that much better.”

Alan Shearer said after the match how proud he felt after equalling Jackie Milburn's scoring record for Newcastle United.

“When I was growing up all everybody talked about was how great Jackie Milburn was.” said Shearer. “It wouldn't bother me at all if I didn't score again because just to see my name alongside the great Jackie Milburn is a great honour for me.”

Shearer, who began his professional football career at Southampton, joined the club he has supported from a child in a £15m move from Blackburn in the summer of 1996.

“When I came here and signed no way in a million years did I think I'd be up there alongside Jackie Milburn,” he said.

“I am really pleased it was here at St James' Park, and if I'd had a choice it would be here in front of the Gallowgate End where I used to stand as a kid and watch my heroes, and that's how it worked out.”

Newcastle United manager Graeme Souness was full of praise for Shearer after having equalled Milburn's scoring feat, which was set almost 50 years ago, back in 1957.

“It's a truly incredible achievement,” the Souness told the Newcastle club website.

“Getting the goals in the modern game is harder than when Milburn set the record. It's a fantastic effort.”

“He's also had a couple of serious injuries when he was at Blackburn, but he's come back from them.”

Souness is also hoping that this might help the striker decide to delay his retirement for another year.

“At the start of the season he wasn't feeling himself because of the hernia, but he enjoys playing with Michael Owen, and that has seemed to give him a new lease of life,” said the former Liverpool, Blackburn and Glasgow Rangers manager.

“It will be about how much he enjoys himself between now and the end of the season.”

Shearer is not getting carried away with his record, saying, “You might not believe me but the fact that it was the winner and that put us into the next round is probably more important than me equalling the record, so I am a very happy man right now.”

“When I scored I felt a mixture of joy and relief although that fact that I've equalled the record should not overshadow what was a great performance by Mansfield.”

“It has been a tough time for us recently. No one is trying to hide that fact.”

“We're not playing great, silky football, but in the FA Cup it's all about getting through to the next round and we've done that.”