He was mostly credited for his hard-working ability, and his good performances that season earned him, and team-mate Connor Stevenson, a trial at champions Rangers in October 2009.
Howarth joined SPL club Motherwell in the closing hours of the transfer window on 31 August 2010.
Howarth signed a new two-year professional contract at Motherwell, having been top scorer for the under-19 side in the 2010–11 season with 15 goals.
[4] On 1 February 2012, Howarth and his club agreed to an early termination of his contract, four months before it was due to end.
[6] After spending months out of the game, Howarth was given a trial at Albion Rovers, and was awarded a contract after impressing manager Todd Lumsden.