Teenage defender Harvey Lintott has spoken of his amazing night with Gillingham after scoring the winning penalty on his first senior appearance for the club.

The 18-year-old right-back has been in and around the Gills first team during pre-season but was named in the starting eleven at Crawley in the opening round of the Carabao Cup. A big night was made extra special after he scored the winner to end an epic penalty shootout.

Having his family in the stand to watch made it even better, saying: “My mum and dad were there to watch, it was amazing for them to see it. They have been up and down the country for me and been really supportive, it‘s amazing.”

Lintott, originally from Barham, just outside of Canterbury, has been with the Gills since joining the under-12s having been picked up playing for Chartham Sports Club.

“You always have to believe but it is one step at a time,” said the level-headed teenager.

“You can’t get ahead of yourself, obviously it was amazing to have made my debut, but you have to still work hard as always and focus on the next step.

“I feel like I have taken my chance, that is what football is about, there are so many people and very limited opportunities and you have to take it and see what happens.”

Lintott only found out he was starting on Tuesday an hour before the game.

You just have to focus and get your head in the game,” he said, lining up with fellow teenagers Bailey Akehurst and Gerald Sithole, also making their full debuts.

“To see the young boys involved, along with myself, just shows what you can do when you put your mind to it, however, we are only young and we have to keep working hard, there is a long way to go yet.

“I felt I did well, things to work on as there is in every game, you are never perfect but I was happy with my performance and absolutely delighted to make my first start and debut for the club.”

Lintott’s big moment came during the penalty shootout. Both teams had scored their first nine and when Gills keeper Aaron Chapman saved Crawley’s 10th it was down to the young defender. He knew a goal would win it.

Infront of a noisy home end, Lintott stayed calm, placed the ball, picked his spot and thumped it home to spark wild scenes from the travelling fans at the opposite end and the team-mates who mobbed him.

“There were a few nerves,” he admitted. “It was my first real experience of a penalty shootout like that. The pressure is on, if you score you win, you just have to pick your spot and go for it.

“It was surreal. You work so hard for this moment and it is great when the hard work pays off.”

More on the Gills;

• Evans’ fury at ‘leg-breaking’ challenge

• Proud manager as kids deliver

• Report: Crawley 2 Gills 2 (Gills win 10-9 on pens)