A SUBSTITUTION deep in stoppage time was unlikely to have raised too many eyebrows in the National League on Saturday.

But for Aldershot Town, it could prove to be hugely significant – and a glimpse into the future.

The Shots gave teenage academy product Harry Taylor his first-team debut when he replaced Craig Tanner in the late stages of Saturday’s 3-3 draw at home to Chorley.

And hopes are high that the 18-year-old centre half will be the first of many to make the jump from Aldershot’s thriving academy into the first team as the Shots build from within.

“It was a proud moment for him, his parents and everyone involved,” said Shots assistant manager Anwar Uddin.

“It’s massive. I feel that people underestimate the talent pool that they have within their club, so for me it’s really important. But he’s there on merit, he’s not there because we want to show everyone we’ve got a decent academy system, he’s a good little player.

“He’s been training with the first team and with Max (Hunt) going back, and a couple of injuries, it’s given him the opportunity, and I think that should inspire everyone, not just at the academy but in Aldershot. If you’re a local young lad you can get involved with the club. There’s a pathway all the way to the top and if you’ve got potential or the will to be part of the club and work hard, myself and the gaffer will do as much as we can to push you.”

And he added: “There are five or six players that I am really pleased with in terms of how they have come on since I joined the club and hats off to Ross McNeilly at the academy for making sure they are doing well and being developed. By the end of the season I would like to see some more of the academy players get some minutes in the first team.

“Hopefully there will be more Harry Taylors to come.”

Meanwhile, Shots fans could have been forgiven for thinking Aldershot were playing Bradford City during the opening stages of Saturday’s game – as the scoreboard at the EBB displayed the badge of the League 2 side from West Yorkshire rather than that of Lancashire outfit Chorley.

“I do a lot of work at Bradford and I looked up and thought ‘that’s Bradford’,” said Uddin.

“I invited a guest of mine, Sophie Cook, who is an ambassador for Kick It Out, and she tweeted to see if anyone had noticed. When the Bradford logo was up, Chorley were playing like Bradford and the minute it changed on the scoreboard the score changed, so I blame everyone in the office!”