The England U16 international, aged just 15, stepped up to the spot to seal the deal with the winning penalty for the home side at the Amex last night.

All eyes are on Howell as he looks to follow in the footsteps of his cousin Jack Hinshelwood, who has had a breakthrough this Premier League season featuring in nine top flight fixtures and netting twice. Hinshelwood, being played predominantly as a full-back, has shown his talent with manager Robert De Zerbi saying he sees him as a real talent, going as far as to compare him to Pascal Gross.

Jamie Howell was unable to attend the Rocks’ 2-1 victory over Cray Wanderers at the MKM Arena last night as he was at the Amex cheering on his son in Brighton’s victory. Just two years ago, the father and son were team-mates in Bognor’s 7-7 draw against Horsham in Gary Charman’s testimonial match. Harry Howell, who was only 14 at the time, found the back of the net to make it 6-6.

Last night’s match against the Royals was a stale mate at 90 minutes with neither side being able to finish their many chances. Perhaps the best opportunity of the game came when Reading’s Femi Azeez couldn’t capitalise on Michael Craig’s pinpoint pass. And so the cup clash went to penalties and that’s when the school boy slotted home.

No doubt that this magical moment will live long in his memory — but for now he will have to retain his focus on revision for his GCSE exams coming up at St Phillip Howard, Barnham, West Sussex.

It looks like it will be a happy return to school for the youngster. His head of year Matt Bonner, told the Argus: “He has just had his mocks and now he has scored the winning penalty. He’s an incredibly humble lad so you wouldn’t know how amazing he is at school. He is all about letting everyone else shine so it is great to see him do this. It’s very well deserved.”