Shawn Goater netted twice on Saturday to take his tally for the season to 10 from 13 league and cup games -- with his first goal in the 5-1 win over Peterborough a possible contender for goal of the season.

It was a spectacular 35-yard effort which the Bermudian striker described as one of his best as a professional. He has scored 62 league and cup goals in the five seasons he has been with Rotherham.

"It was from 35 yards out and I hit it into the top corner,'' explained a delighted Goater yesterday.

"The goal came about after there was a ball over the top from Mike Jeffrey and there was a defender covering. He actually slid to stop the ball from going forward and as he slid he knocked the ball back about 10 yards outside the box and I just ran on and hit it into the top corner. I was definitely delighted with it.

"I'm not known for scoring 30, 35 yarders but, yes, that would have to go down as one of my better goals.'' That goal came in the first half and was Rotherham's first as they led 1-0 at the half. Peterborough equalised early in the second half before Rotherham scored four more in the second to seal the win.

Goater's second goal was the team's third and others came from Andy Roscoe, Trevor Berry, the player on loan from Aston Villa, and Mike Jeffrey as the whole front line scored. Rotherham were hoping to sign Berry yesterday, in time to have him play in tonight's Coca-Cola second round, second leg match with Premier League team Middlesborough, who lead 2-1 after the first leg.

Saturday's win provided a great boost to the team's confidence after recent losses.

"It was a great result because we bounced back from a couple of defeats on our away journey,'' said Goater. "Prior to Saturday's game we had three away games and we lost them all, including the Middlesborough game.

"It was good to get back at home and back to winning ways and get some confidence back into the team for us to play Middlesborough at home.

"There's a lot of optimism, it's a great night for us again and at the end of the day, who knows. If we apply ourselves like we did at their place we could be fortunate and come away with something.'' Goater, aiming to better his tally of 25 last season, is almost halfway to that total already, less than two months into the season.

"For me right now it's important that I stay injury free and just keep knocking in the goals,'' said Goater. "I was just happy to get two rather than one for a change.

"It was a good display by the team and if we can hold our own (against Middlesborough) in the first 15, 20 minutes we will grow stronger as a team, and from then who knows.

"It's just important that we don't concede early goals and it will definitely be an uphill struggle.'' Rotherham's Millmoor Ground holds 11,500, but Goater estimates the crowd will be about 7,000 or 8,000.

Kyle Lightbourne's Walsall team beat Carlisle 2-1 to move into a mid-table position with Rotherham, both teams with 12 points from 10 games with three wins, three draws and four losses. Lightbourne failed to add to his two goals this season.