Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Dowson has backed on-loan keeper Mark Smith to break in to the Brentford first team within the next two years.
The 19-year-old Brentford academy shotstopper made two crucial late saves on Saturday as the Beavers came from a goal down to beat Harrow Borough 2-1 at the Beveree.
Goals from Mark Onyemah and defender Matt Drage in the last five minutes snatched a first win since November for Dowson’s men.
But it was Smith’s second half saves from Carl McCluskey and Raheem Sterling-Parker that ensured Hampton remained only 1-0 down to set the stage for Drage’s injury-time heroics.
And Dowson reckons Smith, on loan at the Beveree until mid-March, is destined for great things for the Bees.
“For a 19-year-old kid he is going to be something special,” he said.
“If he does not get in Brentford’s first team in a couple of year’s time I’ll eat my hat.
“That is what he is there for. If you do gamble on trying to win a game you are going to have one or two chances against you.”
Hampton will host a friendly with Championship play-off chasers Brentford on February 17.
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