Reserve team boss Charlie Oatway backed young striker George Barker to keep on improving after his stunning strike earned Albion a place in the last eight of the Senior Cup.

The 18-year-old youth team forward secured Albion a home tie with County League Eastbourne United 13 minutes from time as he sealed a 2-1 win at the Broadfield Stadium.

Oatway said: “The kid has got a lot of ability. He works hard, he’s good with the ball at his feet. There is so much more for him to learn about the game but he is willing to do that.

“It was a great strike, when he caught hold of it no keeper would have saved it.”

Barker collected possession just outside the centre circle and rode two challenges before firing an unstoppable drive from 25 yards into the top left-hand corner.

Oatway was just pleased that his side, which included a sprinkling of experienced players including Andrew Whing, Kevin McLeod and David Livermore, were able to shake off the rust after nearly two months of inactivity.

He added: “We have had a horrible time weather-wise and it is seven or eight weeks without a game.

“The senior pros’ attitude was excellent. It is sometimes difficult to get motivated but they were spot on in these games while the youngsters stood up and were counted against a strong, well organised Crawley side.”

It was a good night for Albion’s fringe strikers hoping to impress watching first-team boss Gus Poyet.

Gary Hart, who has played just once in the first team this season and is effectively fourth choice behind Nicky Forster, Glenn Murray and Liam Dickinson, opened the scoring in the tenth minute when the lively Barker was heavily involved.

The youngster’s shot was superbly blocked with his legs by goalkeeper Nick Jordan but when Thomas Pinault lost possession as Crawley tried to clear their lines Hart pounced to find the target from ten yards.

Pinault produced an impressive response and helped Reds level three minutes later.

The Frenchman’s corner to the far post was met with a powerful header from Danny Forrest which was probably going in anyway before Lewis Killeen made sure on the goal-line.

Crawley looked more likely to go in front before half-time with Killeen and Forrest, both anxious to press first-team claims of their own, prominent down the flanks.

Josh Pelling fumbled Killeen’s skidding shot and was grateful to see Calum Willock lift the rebound over the bar and Forrest then picked out Karl Broadhurst from a free-kick but the defender headed straight at the keeper from close range.

Lewis Dunk made an important interception in the six-yard box to deny Forrest at the start of the second half but Albion began to threaten again themselves and their front two combined to create space for Steven Brinkhurst but his angled effort hit the side netting.

Hart then headed Barker’s cross wide as Albion finished strongly but Crawley were inches away from an injury-time equaliser when Mikey Malcolm curled a free kick from a central position inches wide of the right-hand post.

Crawley: Jordan, Carter (sub: Cogan 54), Napper, Pinault, Lake-Edwards, Broadhurst, Forrest, Smith (Nayee 87), Willock, King (Malcolm 72), Killeen. Unsued subs: Rayner, O'Neil.

Albion: Pelling, Whing, James Smith, Dunk, Hall, Jamie Smith, Brinkhurst, Livermore, Barker, Hart, McLeod. Unused subs: Thomson, Walker, Strong, Hilder, Hayward.

Referee: Tim Robinson Attendance: 524