Liverpool and Arsenal watch 18-year-old defender Ben Wilmot as he shines during Stevenage draw with Reading

• e-mail

Stars are not often born in goalless draws. But 18-year-old Stevenage defender Ben Wilmot shone brightly against Reading in the FA Cup – and Premier League giants were watching.

The centre back was composed throughout Saturday’s game. He also nearly scored the goal that sent his side through, barring an acrobatic intervention from Royals goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola.

It explained why Stevenage chairman Phil Wallace said he was ‘a defender that will play at the highest level’ in his programme notes.

Ben Wilmot impressed for Stevenage as they drew against Reading on Saturday afternoon

Clearly the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal think the same, having sent scouts to watch him in his first senior start.

His manager Darren Sarll said he reminded him of West Ham target Alfie Mawson, who he brought into Brentford when he was youth team manager: ‘He didn’t look 18, did he? He’s got a reading of the game, and an intelligence.

‘I was very lucky at Brentford that I recruited a young man called Alfie Mawson, who’d been released from Reading.

The 18-year-old came close to sending his side through to the fourth round of the FA Cup

‘They have a very similar compatibility between them as players and people. Both have got a fantastic desire. Alfie has gone on to play at the very top and for his country (at Under-21 level).

‘Listen, regardless of whether Ben plays for his country or not, I think he’ll play at the very top.’

A big move is understood to be on the cards in the future. First, he has to contend with a possible FA Youth Cup appearance on Thursday – he is still a second year scholar and part of Stevenage’s side in that competition.

Meanwhile, the pressure is still on Jaap Stam after the struggling Reading boss was targeted with sarcastic chants by his own fans.