Albion star Bobby Zamora has completed an amazing 12 months by making his England debut.

Zamora came on for the last 19 minutes of a 1-0 defeat for David Platt's under 21s against Portugal at Stoke's Britannia Stadium last night.

He almost created a late equaliser for fellow substitute Peter Crouch.

Zamora then rounded off his dream evening by presenting a bottle of bubbly to Crouch's Aston Villa colleague and former Albion schoolboy Gareth Barry, named man of the match.

"It's lovely to run out there with the likes of Gareth and everyone else," he said. "I'd been called up for the under 20s and that's the way I thought it would go.

"It's been an amazing season for myself and Brighton. It's just a shock that it has come so fast. The goals have just been dropping for me and lady luck has looked kindly on me."

Zamora's first England cap, in place of Leeds' Alan Smith, came exactly a year after Albion's Third Division promotion homecoming against Darlington at Withdean.

He plundered 31 goals last season and has gone one better in the Seagulls' Second Division title triumph this term.

Now he could sneak into Platt's squad for the under 21 European championships in Switzerland, which will be announced on May 7.

"I think it's a big if, but if there are a few injuries and the gaffer thinks I've done well enough then maybe there's an outside chance," he said.

Alternatively Zamora seems sure to be named for the prestigious under 20s tournament in Toulon, France.

He did his prospects no harm last night as Platt's unbeaten eight-match run was ended by a first half header by Portuguese defender Tonel.

Zamora's period on the pitch coincided with England's best spell. He provided a right foot cross with five minutes left which the lanky Crouch, a half time replacement for Derby's Malcolm Christie, headed straight at the keeper.

Albion boss Peter Taylor said: "He did well when he came on. I liked the positions he got into."

Zamora will be seeking his 70th Albion goal on his 100th appearance for the club when he returns to the Potteries for the final game of the season at Port Vale on Saturday.

Last night was not such a good night for Manchester United's Wes Brown who was forced to miss the game with blurred vision after being struck in the eye in training.