JOHN Robertson, the centre back who has become almost a forgotten man at Giant Axe since injury earlier this year, became an instant hero at Marine on Saturday.
Manager Phil Wilson threw him into the fray with City trailing 1-0 with just five minutes remaining - and his side's long unbeaten run under serious threat.
And Robertson did exactly what was required within a couple of minutes of replacing lively wingman Neil Prince.
City were awarded a free kick close to the edge of the Marine box and, as Tony Sullivan tapped the ball to him, Robertson unleashed a ferocious shot beyond the defensive wall and keeper Terry McCormick.
And it could have got even better as City threatened to snatch all three points in injury time - McCormick having to be at his best to deny fellow Dolly Blues substitute Paul Haddow.
That would have been harsh on the Merseyside team who had controlled most of an undistinguished match.
City looked the worse for wear in their second match in two days - the first was a 0-0 draw at Blyth Spartans on Thursday evening - despite starting the better of the two teams.
In the opening five minutes Peter Thomson and Prince both tested Marine's defences before, on eight minutes, the home team took the lead.
A through ball from Dean Thurston found Tommy Taylor in space and he wasted no time in beating Kevin Welsby.
Paul Procter had a good chance to make it 2-0 on 25 minutes but his header just beat Welsby's crossbar, while Ricky Mercer went close for City.
But with Thomson falling to injury on 35 minutes City lost their attacking invention and the match quickly degenerated into a midfield battle in which neither side gained the upper hand and goal chances were few and far between.
That lasted until the final quarter when City suddenly found the energy to go out and protect their unbeaten run.
CITY: Welsby, Clark, Scott, Kilbane, Mercer, Sparrow, Uberschar (Haddow 52), Jones, Thomson (Elderton 35), Sullivan, Prince (Robertson 85).
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