JAMES Roberts said it was a huge relief to get off the mark in front of Oxford United’s home fans and admitted his superb equaliser was down to pure instinct.

The 18-year-old rescued his side in stoppage time, firing in off the post from 20 yards to salvage a 2-2 draw against Exeter City at the Kassam Stadium.

It came just minutes after Alex Nicholls had put the visitors in front, putting United on course for a costly fourth home defeat in a row.

Roberts, who was surprised to even be in the squad after completing just one training session since injuring a hamstring, knew the game was in the final few seconds, so opted to let fly with his weaker left foot.

He said: “Everything was going through my mind about should I cut it back on to my right, but it’s one of the last kicks of the game and at that point instinct takes over.

“You just think ‘swing a foot at it’ because the whistle could blow at any time.

“Thankfully it floated in off the post.”

It was the teenager’s fifth goal from just 13 appearances in what is becoming an impressive first season as a professional.

But with his previous strikes all coming on the road, finding the net at home meant a lot to Roberts.

“It was my first one, which was massive for me,” he said.

“It’s a massive weight off my shoulders because it was worrying me a little bit.

“I’ve scored four away, but you’ve got to do something in front of the home fans to make them remember you - I’ve certainly done that.

“If possible it is even better to score late.

“To get a late equaliser in front of the home fans, who were fantastic all day was massive.”

While it was another game where United saw a win slip through their fingers, the late effort to claim a point relieved some of the pressure on the side.

Roberts readily acknowledged the squad have to build on the result, but felt it gave them something to move forward with.

He said: “It’s a foundation. The gaffer is talking a lot about that and building up and up.

“That last-minute equaliser builds momentum for us. Everyone is a bit more confident going to Stevenage next week than if we had lost.”

Before the game, United ended their wait for a first signing in January.

Joe Skarz signed too late to be available for the game, but was introduced to the crowd before kick-off.