Defender Mark Roberts has called on the Boro faithful to be the team s 12th man when Cambridge United come to The Lamex Stadium on Thursday for the semi-final first leg. Boro fans have raised the roof in recent games against Kidderminster at home and M

Defender Mark Roberts has called on the Boro faithful to be the team's "12th man" when Cambridge United come to The Lamex Stadium on Thursday for the semi-final first leg.

Boro fans have raised the roof in recent games against Kidderminster at home and Mansfield away and Roberts is looking for the supporters to create a cauldron of atmosphere to roar them on to victory against Gary Brabin's side.

"In the last eight or nine games it has been brilliant playing in front of full houses and it really makes a massive difference to the team," he told The Comet.

"The fans have been really vocal and it gives the lads a big boost. Hopefully, they can act as our 12th man against on Thursday - or 11th man as it was at Mansfield!"

Roberts is confident Boro can win their way through to another Wembley final and the 25-year-old is looking for a similar performance to that which beat United in the league earlier this month when Lee Boylan netted the winner in a 2-1 win.

"We've played them home and away this season and done well against them," he added. "We got a last minute equaliser at their place and we played really well at The Lamex to beat them 2-1.

"Over two games we fancy ourselves to beat anyone in this division. We will go into the game full of confidence and we expect to beat them."

Roberts admitted he never expected to be part of a side challenging for promotion at the start of the season with the centre half seemingly only looking forward to a season fighting against relegation with Northwich Victoria.

But his permanent move to Boro in January has given Roberts the chance of a shot at the Football League and he is determined to seize his opportunity with both hands.

"I was thinking when I played at Mansfield earlier this season with Northwich that I never dreamed that on the last day of the season I would have the chance to get into the play-offs.

"It's a massive boost for me and I just want to go on now and win the play-offs and grab every chance I can for success.

"All the team are just focused on getting through to the second final at Wembley. We are three games away now from the Football League and there can be no bigger motivation for us than that.