JUNIOR Luamba hopes to have given head coach Keith Curle food for thought after impressing in the Carabao Cup.

The 18-year-old forward scored what proved to be the winning penalty in the shoot-out against Accrington Stanley.

But in the 90 minutes beforehand - his first full competitive game - Luamba stood out with his workrate and willingness both on and off the ball, while he offered a threat in and around the box.

And ahead of tomorrow's trip to Football League newcomers Sutton United he hopes to have done enough to stay in the Latics line-up as they return to League Two action.

"I think I got off to a good start. The gaffer was telling me to make it stick and be aggressive.

"I was playing against experienced centre backs and tall guys so I just had to put myself about and I think I did well," said Luamba, whose initial penalty was saved in the shoot-out but he converted after the referee ordered a retake for encroachment, with Laurie Walker going on to save his second spot kick and secure a third round trip to Premier League new boys Brentford.

"We've been practising penalties for a couple of days leading up to the match. My thought was 'don't change your mind' just be confident and whatever happens just take on the chin.

"Obviously I'm glad that we got the win.

"It was a good game to play in, competitive. From youth team level coming up it's obviously a big change in intensity but I think I adapted very well and the boys - fair play to them - they've helped me with the transition so I'm absolutely buzzing.

"It's good to help the team with a win.

"I've been working really hard and seeing it paying off in the first team environment, I'm over the moon with that."

Luamba said he got "a huge buzz" when he first discovered he would be starting Tuesday's second round tie against League One Accrington and wants to experience that again. But he insists he does not take anything for granted going forward.

"Initially it gives me a huge buzz and high self esteem but I have to remember that I have to keep working each day and take it as it comes," said Luamba, who was around the first team last season, both in training and on matchdays.

He made his full debut in a goalless draw at Grimsby last December and came off the bench in a 2-1 win at home to Exeter in March.

The teenager went on to earn a professional deal in the summer, along with fellow second year scholars Vani Da Silva and Will Sutton, as well as Harry Vaughan, who was fast tracked to the first team in the first year of his scholarship, and also starred after starting in midweek.

"The gaffer from the start has really trusted me and Harry and it's good that he trusts us youngsters because if you look around the country many clubs don't really do that. But the gaffer, fair play to him he has trusted me and Harry," said Luamba.

"We just have to keep working hard to repay that trust.

"I'm proud of Harry, I look at him as my little brother.

"I try to help him on the pitch, off the pitch. He's a cracking little player."

Luamba is now looking for Latics to build on their cup success when they return to league action tomorrow.

"That was our first win after a spell of not so good performances," he said. "Sutton, here we come."