WORCESTER City assistant manager Matt Gardiner says the exploits of FA Cup hero Matt Smith are proof non-league players can make the grade in the professional game.

Striker Smith, who just two years ago was playing Worcestershire parks football, scored twice for Oldham Athletic as they sent Premier League giants Liverpool spinning out of the competition last Sunday.

But his rise to the League One Latics may never have come about had it not been for Gardiner, who signed him while in charge at Redditch United during the 2010-11 season.

Carl Heeley’s deputy first spotted him as a teenager at Stourport Swifts and drafted the 6ft 6ins player into his Reds squad before he ended up on loan at Midland Combination outfit Littleton to recover from injury.

However, Smith’s goal-scoring prowess, which will be put to the test against Everton in the fifth round this month, earned him moves to Droylsden, while he was studying at university in Manchester, and later Solihull Moors before Oldham pounced.

Gardiner said: “I signed him and gave him his chance. I thought he could play higher and he’s done that.

“I think the message is, seeing him do that, some of our current players at Worcester are capable of moving up to a higher level as well. It can be done if you get the chance.

“It’s very pleasing when you spot a player and they go on and perform well against a Premier League club.

“I was pleased for him and his family.”