YORK City goalkeeper Russ Howarth is keeping his fingers crossed for another international call-up after savouring his 'best moment in football'.

Howarth was an integral part of the England Under-18 squad that earlier this month won a prestigious qualification tournament for next year's European Under-18 Championships.

Howarth and his side won all three of their games in Ancona, Italy, to make it through to a two-legged play-off with Poland next year.

Victory over the Poles will guarantee young England a place in next summer's finals in Finland.

Howarth, who has now been capped by England at Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 level, made only one appearance in Italy - keeping a clean sheet in a 5-0 win over the Faroe Islands.

But it is the final and all-important match against the host nation that will live long in the memory for Howarth.

Needing to win, England squeezed past their Italian counterparts with a grandstand finish.

The teenage Azzurri took the lead in the 50th minute and England looked to be on their way out when West Ham's Jermaine Defoe was sent off.

However, Sheffield Wednes-day's Matthew Hamshaw grabbed an 89th minute equaliser before, amazingly, England won it with a goal from Middlesbrough's Stuart Parnaby, currently on loan at Halifax Town, four minutes into injury time.

"The Italy game was probably the best moment of my career even though I didn't play," admitted Howarth.

"A draw wasn't good enough because they had a better goal difference so when the goal went in it went mad. Everyone was jumping around. There was such elation, I have never experienced anything like it."

Now Howarth, 18, is hoping to be named in the soon-to-be announced England squad to take on Belgium in a friendly at Bradford's Valley Parade on November 16.

"Hopefully I'll have done well enough to be in the squad," he told the Evening Press.

"It went really well for me in Italy. I only played against the Faroe Islands but I kept a clean sheet, although I didn't have a lot to do to be honest."

Riccall-based Howarth, who was the only player outside the Premiership or First Division to be named in the England set-up, admitted his international call-ups were keeping him on his toes.

"When I come back from being with England I am full of confidence and feel a lot sharper in training. Even though you do double training sessions with England it is not as intense and you get a bit of a break so you feel sharp and more refreshed, more mentally than physically, when you come back."

England Under-18 chief Martyn Hunter indicated he will name an unchanged squad for the Belgium match, saying: "We knew the Italy game would be tough but the lads' attitude and desire was spot on. Their grit and willingness to work augurs well for the future when these lads step up to the Under-21s and Senior team."