Paul Larkin claims to have struck the world's fastest goal for The Plough in Hastings after two seconds.

The midfielder blasted a shot straight from kick-off against Tackleway, which sailed past keeper Tom Cosens with referee Martin Moor looking at his watch in disbelief.

Martin, a referee for 30 years, confirmed: "My watch read two seconds. He hit it like an Exocet missile. It was lightening fast."

Paul, who thundered his shot the moment team-mate Adam Oram touched the ball forward, simply turned away without celebrating, but then it dawned his goal was something special.

He said: "I'm never one for running around and making a fool of myself, but some of the lads started asking the ref how many seconds it took for me to score. I was interested myself and when he said two seconds I couldn't believe it.

"But I did hit it hard and within a blink of the eyes the ball was in the net. So two seconds sounds about right.

"I was looking at my Guinness Book of Records and it says the fastest known goal has been scored in just under three seconds. This goal is as fast as that, but I don't know if they will accept it as a world record."

The official world record for the fastest goal, which is supported by video evidence, belongs to Uruguayan Ricardo Olivera, who scored in 2.8seconds for Real Negro against Soriano on December 26, 1998. But a number of players have claimed goals inside three seconds.

The Plough boss Darren Brown was stunned by the speed the ball travelled.

Darren said: "Their keeper was off his line and Paul gave it a mighty pelt. There was a moment of silence and then some of the lads went to congratulate him, while the others went to enquire with the ref how many seconds he made it."

Opposing manager Keith Holdstock added: "Our keeper never heard the whistle go and was still chatting to our skipper Steve Book. He was caught out big time, but it was an amazing goal."

Hastings League secretary Robin Powell declared the goal the fastest ever in the competition and believes it will be tough to find anyone who has struck a shot like that on the whole planet.

He said: "It's unlikely anyone has got one that fast. I trust the referee's timing. Martin is a vastly experienced ref and if he says it is two seconds then I am sure it is."

Many people will find it hard to believe that a goal could be scored in two seconds, especially when another player had made contact with the ball first.

But Paul, 32, explained: "It's something I'm always rehearsing. I hit the ball literally at the same time as Adam. If flew so sweetly."

He is not bothered whether his exploits appear in the Guinness Book of Records. He is more made up that his effort is being recorded in Park Life.

The player, who manages Travaux in the East Sussex League, said: "I've not had much luck with injuries down the years and always had ambitions to make it as a pro. But finally at the age of 32 I've done something that has hit the newspaper headlines and that means so much to me.

"For a short moment I'm in the limelight and there's no doubt that this is my proudest moment in football."