Making his Marc

MARC Roberts won’t experience many more dramatic 45 minute periods of play than Saturday’s second half.

The 20-year-old came on with Michael Jacklin after the interval, as both Worksop Town centre-halves James Cotterill and Luke Shiels went off injured.

He scored with a volley from a corner, almost had to be substituted when he took a bang in the face and split his lip, very nearly put Tigers further ahead with a header that cleared the bar, then rose highest at the back post to score a late equaliser.

Speaking to the Guardian after the match he was delighted with the way the match finished.

“It’s a bit frustrating not to be playing, but it’s nice to get on the pitch and obviously to score two goals as a defender makes it a good day,” he said.

“It was a good point for us, they’ve been on a good run.”

His second goal highlighted the obvious aerial threat he carries, as a 6ft 4ins defender.

Owain Warlow sent in a dangerous free-kick on 94 minutes and Roberts towered over his marker to head the ball into the net and send the Tigers supporters into raptures behind the goal.

Roberts added: “It felt absolutely amazing to get the equaliser, especially at that late stage. I hope the fans enjoyed it, it was one for them.”

The former Wakefield centre-half needed seven stitches to heal a gash in his lip, caused by a collision involving Worksop keeper Jon Wornsop.

Although the incident was a mystery to Roberts, he knew that coming off wasn’t an option.

“I don’t really know who did it, I was a bit dazed,” he said.

“I came to the side and the physio said something about me having to come off but I told him to bang some vaseline on it, I didn’t want to come off.”

Roberts, who now has three goals for the season, is enjoying his stint with Tigers having signed in the summer, and hopes to keep improving under new boss Simon Clark.

“I’m not finding the level too difficult but it’s a different kettle off fish in this league, every team is competitive, every game is hard.”

“I’m always looking to learn, the gaffer was a centre half so I’m looking to learn from him.”

“I think it’s quite competitive in the squad, everybody is wanting to play, nobody is happy sitting on the bench, especially when you’re young - you want to play every game.”

“Everyone’s looking to step in and do a shift.”