Howells delighted to prove his critics wrong

The 21-year-old had taken to social media after the previous weekend’s 3-2 defeat against Mansfield, declaring his confidence ‘shot to pieces’ in response to criticism from his own fans.

He was left out totally at Braintree in midweek, but returned to the starting line-up and netted the only goal on the stroke of half-time.

He said: “It was a massive relief as I had a lot of pressure on me. People were criticising me a bit, but that’s football, you’ve just got to take it on the chin and get on with it.

“All the frustration and everything that’s gone wrong for me lately, my form recently, it just went right.”

Howells has struggled this season as he has been switched from left wing, to central midfield to left-back.

He was in his preferred role on the flank at County as new boss John Still confirmed he will be looking to play players in their favoured positions.

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