Despite Shaun Goater's record-breaking goal tally for Manchester City this season and his cult hero status, the Bermudian striker is lagging behind in the poll for the Blues' Player of the Year.

Goater, who was a spectator during City's 5-1 thrashing of Barnsley on Saturday, a win which secured them the First Division title, has garnered just six percent of the vote on the club's official website, www.mcfc.co.uk.

The player has 30 goals to his name so far this term, one more than his previous best while in England, and his partnership with Darren Huckerby has reaped a total of 55, more than the entire tally of relegated league rivals Stockport.

However, it would seem that City's fans, arguably some of the most die-hard in the nation, view there is more to the perfect player than just sticking the ball in the back of the net.

Of the 8,082 votes cast by yesterday afternoon, a whopping 40 percent have gone to midfielder Ali Bernabia.

The Algerian, who has supplied many a pass to a goal-seeking Goater, was hailed by manager Kevin Keegan as "the greatest player I have ever worked with, bar none" after his performance at the weekend.

The manager said: "I think if Ali had been in Barnsley's side they would have won. He is world class. I have worked with David Ginola, Faustino Asprilla and a few others, but Ali is better than them.

"He has got everything in his game and more importantly the knowledge that he has got, he wants to pass onto young players like Shaun Wright-Phillips and I think that is a tremendous quality to have."

With that glowing endorsement it would seem the honour of the season's best performer is but a fait accomplis, and Goater will, no doubt, be one of the first to congratulate him.

In other First Division action, West Bromwich Albion's promotion push was checked by lowly Rotherham United in a controversial 1-1 draw yesterday.

The point enabled West Brom to leapfrog Wolverhampton Wanderers into the second automatic promotion place, but Gary Megson's side were left cursing referee Mike Pike after seeing a late `goal' disallowed.

Birmingham City, meanwhile, moved back into the top six on goal difference after a 1-1 draw with Portsmouth, while Crewe Alexandra and Crystal Palace drew 0-0.

With nine minutes remaining at The Hawthorns, Portuguese midfielder Jordao connected with an overhead kick from close range and the ball appeared to cross the line before Rotherham cleared - and the referee waved play on.

"The ball was clearly over the line, it wasn't even close," manager Megson said. "It's cost us two points."

West Brom also had a late penalty appeal for a challenge on Scott Dobie ignored by Pike as they endured a frustrating afternoon.

Striker Bob Taylor had given the home side the lead with a low, 20-yard shot on 33 minutes, before Darren Byfield, signed recently from Walsall, equalised five minutes after half-time.

Taylor hit the post from an acute angle before he was forced off with a hand injury, and Rotherham came close to stealing a shock win when Chris Sedgwick struck Russell Hoult's upright midway through the second half.

West Brom and Wolves are fighting for the second automatic promotion place behind City.

With two matches remaining, West Brom have 83 points from 44 games, with Wolves in third on 82 points from 44 matches.

West Brom know that if they beat Bradford City away and Crystal Palace at home, they will finish second.

The teams finishing third to sixth qualify for the play-offs.