ONE year ago Conor Washington was working as a postman and watching the League Cup on TV but 12 months on the striker is revelling in his status as a Capital One Cup goal hero.

The 21-year-old would have had to head to bed rather than watch extra-time in a midweek cup tie when he was combining early morning deliveries with banging in the goals for St Ives Town.

But Washington has now left the Cambridgeshire part-timers behind and he looked every bit the first class finisher as he rounded Casper Ankergren and calmly slotted home the Exiles’ third goal to finally kill off Brighton & Hove Albion after 10pm on Tuesday night.

Washington reflected on his heroics at the Championship big guns’ Amex Stadium after training yesterday.

“Luckily the ‘keeper made my mind up for me,” said the super sub.

“I had quite a lot of time after I nicked the ball and he came out and made it easier for me really.

“At 2-1 in the League Cup at a place like Brighton I was thinking ‘I’ve got to make sure I don’t mess this up!’ “I took it round their ’keeper and had a few touches to make sure and I was so happy to see it go in the back of their net.

“It’s definitely the biggest moment of my career.

“It was a massive night not just for me but for the whole club at a place like that against a team as good as Brighton are. It was unbelievable.”

Washington’s joy, and that of fellow goalscorer Danny Crow, was only tempered by teammate Byron Anthony’s broken leg.

“It was horrible seeing that happen to a mate,” said Washington. “I don’t think their player meant to do it but our thoughts are with Byron. I hope he’s back soon.

“He’s been superb since the minute he turned up last year.

“He’s been the model pro and he’s horrible to face in training. I’ve learned a lot from him and the other experienced lads in the squad.”

The young striker is hoping to make a similar impact in League Two this season, starting at Northampton Town tomorrow.

“It was good to get on the other night and to take my chance,” he added.

“It just shows the faith that the manager has got in me.

“Hopefully I can continue to get on and change games and build on Tuesday.

“I feel I’ve come on massively over the past year but I have to keep working hard and have to take my opportunities when they come.”