The midfielder grabbed the decisive goal as the Royals booked their place in the next round, delivering one of his most influential performances of the season in a more advanced midfield role.

Having had to remain patient for opportunities, the 23-year-old admitted the display was another chance to prove he can make a difference when called upon.

"Yeah, 100 per cent. I think as a professional you've just got to give your all every single game and that's all you can control," Savage said.

"There's no point moaning, sulking and being a bad egg.

"You've just got to wait for your chance and take it and, like I say, try my best every game and hopefully I did okay."

Savage certainly did more than okay.

Deployed closer to the forward line, he was at the heart of many of Leam Richardson's side's best attacking moments and capped his display with a composed finish following a swift counter-attack.

Explaining the goal, Savage said: "I think we're a very counter-attacking team.

"I think Kyreece [Lisbie] dribbles inside, Jack [Marriott] gets a touch and I had it run across my body and I think it goes middle of the net. A little deflection but we take them."

The finish was the result of work he had put in on the training pitch throughout the week.

"I think I had one in the first 10 minutes. I rushed it a little bit and I've been working in training to bounce it into the floor to kind of disrupt the keepers," he said.

"I think Mesut Ozil used to do it and honestly this week I've been practising it so I'm happy that it came off."

The Manchester United academy graduate also suggested he may have found a role that suits him better.

Traditionally used in deeper midfield positions, Savage looked comfortable operating further forward and making runs into the penalty area.

"I think in this system maybe I'm a little bit better forwards," he said.

"I think I can use my running to get in the box and create things.

"I think traditionally I've played a little bit further back but I think as I've got older my main attribute is that I can run all day and I'm okay in and around the box so the gaffer tried me there and I don't know maybe that's my new position."

The occasion carried extra significance given the opposition were managed by his father, Robbie Savage, but Charlie was keen to keep the focus on football rather than family.

"It was a very strange one," he said.

"I didn't know what to do when I scored, so I just ran over and gave it a knee slide, but an enjoyable game and grateful for the win."

Savage admitted there had been plenty of attention on the father-versus-son storyline in the build-up, but insisted his focus never shifted from helping Richardson's side progress.

"I'm always conscious of not making it into a kind of farce," he said.

"It's a professional game, it's an FA Cup game and my job's to help Reading win, his job's to help Peterborough.

"I think he's got a tough job on his hands and I think he's got the personality and the drive to rally the troops and hopefully keep them up because, like I say, it's going to be a tough ask."

He added: "I dedicate my whole entire life to football and I just want to get better and better and, like I say, I need to impress the gaffer and hopefully I did that today."

With Reading through to the next round and competition for places intensifying, Savage's performance was a timely reminder of the qualities he can offer.

And while scoring against his father may grab the headlines, the midfielder's biggest takeaway from the evening was the opportunity to strengthen his claim for a regular place in Richardson's side.

"The main aim is to get Reading back to where they belong in the Championship and I'm working every day to try and make that a reality," he said.