DEFENDER Shaun Pearson is relishing the chance to shine again when Grimsby Town host his home-town team York City in the FA Trophy quarter-final on Saturday.

The centre-back was a stand-out performer after an early introduction from the bench as Town won 2-1 at Southport on Friday.

And with scorer from that game Ian Miller cup-tied, Pearson is set to continue at the heart of the defence as the Mariners bid to reach the last four and a two-legged semi-final tie.

It's an opportunity to stake a claim for a more regular role that the 22-year-old hopes to grasp with both hands.

Pearson, who replaced Scott Garner at Haig Avenue after his head injury, said: "I can't wait for Saturday against my home-town team.

"I feel in the last few games I've played, I've done well.

"It's frustrating that I can't get a run of games together but that's because the team is doing so well.

"Hopefully, I can come in and do well next week and we can get one step nearer Wembley.

"It would be nice after playing my part on Friday.

"Obviously, I was gutted for Garns but luckily he was all right and was up and about afterwards.

"It is difficult coming on so early as a substitute sometimes but I won a first header straight away and it was a big header that lifted my confidence.

"It set the tone for me and really helped me settle down quickly.

"It suited me the way the game was.

"We joked afterwards that if I don't play well in a game against a physical team like Southport then something is wrong.

"I enjoy that sort of game where you win headers and get blocks in.

"I couldn't believe I missed my chance to score as well but it worked out for us when 'Dusty' (Ian Miller) popped up and scored soon after and it was a great time to score before half-time.

"To go in 1-1 we knew we had a good chance to win and we battled to do it."

Pearson may have had to watch from the bench in recent league games but, like the rest of those on the fringes, he is the team's biggest supporter.

He believes the tight bond amongst the players is a major factor in the recent run of 22 games with just one defeat.

And the former Boston man says it's a togetherness that could see Town successful on two fronts come May.

Pearson added: "We showed great character to come from behind and win at Southport.

"It showed something we didn't have early on in the season and that was a real grit and determination to get three points.

"To come from a goal down at a horrible place like that is credit to the lads.

"If you look all the way back to the Braintree game in August, we capitulated and lost 5-0.

"On Friday, we showed we are a totally different team now.

"There is such a togetherness there.

"Everyone wants to do well for each other, even if someone is there in your place you want the lads to do well.

"In the past three months we have shown that.

"We had a similar situation at Boston when we didn't start too well but got on a good run after Christmas and it snowballed from there.

"You get on a roll and it becomes a big thing for everyone at the club and hopefully that's going to achieve success for us."