TEENAGER Jack Powell played a starring role as Didcot Town progressed to the fourth qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Eastbourne Town.

The 17-year-old, son of former Didcot and Oxford United player Paul, played a part in three of the Railwaymen’s four goals at the Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow Stadium.

It is only the second time in the club’s history that they have advanced from the third qualifying round.

Didcot went ahead as early as the second minute as Powell’s cross was deflected past keeper Greg Nessling.

Powell continued to terrorise the Eastbourne defence and, after good work from Mark Janes, fired just wide.

The hosts continued to press their Southern Combination Premier Division opponents and were rewarded with a goal when Adam Learoyd’s back-post header went through a crowd of players and into the back of the net.

Eastbourne struggled to get a foothold on the match and just before the break Kenny Pogue had their best chance of the half, but was unable to hit the target.

The visitors started the brighter after half-time, with Wes Tate and Pogue going close but they were unable to seriously test Didcot keeper Leigh Bedwell.

With the hosts looking comfortable, they were stunned as Callum Sherriff’s stunning volley beat Bedwell to set up a nervous end to the game.

But Powell sealed the victory two minutes from time as he ran into the box and fired past Nessling from a tight angle.

And with almost the final kick, Janes beat two defenders and coolly slotted home for Didcot’s fourth to put them in today's draw.

Didcot Town: Bedwell, Heapy, Organ, Ballard, Carnell, Learoyd, Longford, Self (Edney 65), Janes, Francis (Collins 81), Powell (Woodley 90).