Roberts’ rescue act
By Adam Summers

A LATE equaliser by defender Justin Roberts saved Weymouth's blushes in a heart-stopping FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round clash at the Wessex Stadium.

The Terras looked destined to be heading out of the competition until the former Nottingham Forest defender slid home the ball from close range with just five minutes remaining to net his first-ever goal for the club.

The Blue Square Premier outfit's performance was very poor for the first 75 minutes but they still created plenty of chances and would have been comfortable winners had it not been for some inspired saves by man-of-the-match Ricky Perks.

Hitchin skipper Ryan Frater also had a fine game and it was his headed goal on six minutes that had set the tone for a nerve-racking afternoon for Jason Tindall's Terras.

Weymouth made two enforced changes to their starting XI with Joel Kitamirike and Danny Phillips replacing the injured Ashley Vickers and the suspended Paolo Vernazza.

There were also three switches on the bench where Brian Glover, Marcus Browing and Callum Crawley took the places of injured duo Trevor Challis and Stuart Douglas, and striker Stuart Beavon who was ruled out through illness.

However, Hitchin then won a free-kick on the right on six minutes and when Mark Ducket delivered the unmarked Frater was on hand to nod past keeper Jon Stewart to give the British Gas Business League Premier Division side a shock lead.

Suddenly Weymouth looked all at sea but they rode out the storm and slowly began to regain a little bit of composure.

Jefferson Louis tested Perks with a low shot and a header but still the Terras could not muster any sustained pressure on Hitchin's back four, which was looking fairly solid.

Weymouth's next approach was to start testing their opponents with long balls from the back but Frater and his defensive partner Nat Gentle-King comfortably dealt with almost every one of them as the home fans began to get frustrated.

Despite not playing anywhere near their best, Weymouth did create some more chances towards the end of the half.

Gavin McCallum broke the offside trap and cut in from the right but when he came face-to-face with Perks he opted for power and had his shot pushed wide of the near post.

The Hitchin keeper was called into action again in added-on time, producing another reaction save to deny Nick Crittenden. And then from the resulting corner Carl Williams was on hand to clear off the line after McCallum had stabbed the ball towards goal.

Some Weymouth fans felt inclined to boo their side off the pitch at half-time and although that was a little harsh, there was no doubt that the hosts needed to raise their game.

At the start of the second period that man Perks again rescued Hitchin as early as the 46th minute.

Louis made himself a nuisance at a free-kick and when the ball fell to the feet of Roberts he looked certain to score but somehow Town's in-form stopper spread himself to block the effort.

Gavin McCallum then drove a shot wide before the experienced Browning was introduced into the action for Phillips.

The former AFC Bournemouth man immediately began to dictate the play in the midfield and the rest of his side responded by upping their work rate.

The rise in tempo soon had Hitchin under pressure but still Perks could not be beaten.

Louis headed over a good chance before the Town keeper pulled off a full-length stop to his left to push away a magnificent strike by Browning.

Fellow substitute Conal Platt also tried his luck from distance when he came on but it seemed like it was just not going to be Weymouth's day.

Hitchin rarely threatened in the second half although Ducket will feel he should have done better when he met Wayne Mills' cross at the far post on a rare attack.

The midfielder opted for placement instead of power with his volley and found the hands of Stewart.

Time was running out for the Terras but with five minutes left they finally got the breakthrough their endeavour deserved.

Crittenden swung in a corner that came to nothing but then from the second phase he put over a delightful cross to the far post that Roberts connected with to level from close range.

The relief on the faces of everyone associated with Weymouth was clearly evident but within seconds of the restart they were biting their nails again.

A mistake by Narada Bernard let in Shane Hill but Stewart expertly pushed wide the midfielder's strike.

The Weymouth stopper was tested again by a powerful 30-yard free kick from Frater before the hosts nearly snatched the win in the final few seconds.

A ball into the Hitchin box was not dealt with and in the ensuing goal-mouth scramble both Robin-son and Louis had strikes blocked by the combination of Perks and several defenders.