MARK MANTON is living proof that you should never say never in life.

The prop appeared to have played his last league game for Plymouth Albion in April 1999 when he came on as a replacement in the club's must-win match against Weston-super-Mare.

But on Saturday, 11-and-a-half years after helping Albion keep hold of their National League status and at the ripe old age of 43, Manton was back in competitive action for the club.

With Albion unable to call on Martin Rice and David Morton, the veteran came on for the final couple of minutes of Albion's big game against Worcester Warriors, where he found himself up against the likes of England fly-half Andy Goode and Irish flanker Neil Best.

"I was just dying to get on," admitted Manton, who had been an used replacement at Bedford the previous week.

"These sort of games you just want to be involved in.

"And we were so unlucky not to win.

"We all believed we could win and I think that showed."

Manton turned up at Albion in January as he wanted to give rugby one last serious go. He had been playing for Launceston's second team.

"It was over 10 years ago since I last played a league match for the club, but I did play for the (Devonport) Warriors last season," said Manton.

Albion were in the fourth tier of English rugby and still playing at Beacon Park when Manton left the club following a knee injury.

"When you come back and see the quality of the training and the guys you are working with, it is just fantastic.

"The good thing about Albion is that it is an open club. Anyone can just turn up if they fancy themselves. And if they put the work in and they have the skill then they will get the chance."

Manton has certainly worked hard all summer, proving a point to his younger team-mates.

And the prop admits Albion's chairman of rugby Graham Dawe has been an inspiration to him.

Dawe was 40 when he made his Albion debut in 1999 and has since played over 150 games for the club, including four last season.

"I am just following in the steps of Graham Dawe," said Manton.

"It is rumoured his body is going to be left to medical science when he croaks it.

"But age should not have anything to do with it. It is about what is in your head. If your body can take it and you can put the work in then the opportunity should be there."

When Manton came on against Worcester he found himself lining up alongside a prop less than half is age, in the form of Albion's highly-rated 21-year-old George Porter.

Albion have also signed Bath's 19-year-old prop Kane Newport on loan this week to offer extra cover and Martin Rice and David Morton should be back within the next month.

Manton may have got his chance due to injury and unavailability, but he is not just going to stand aside and give up his spot without a fight.

"I've had an opportunity at the beginning of the season due to some injuries and I've taken it," said Manton. "It is in my nature to take opportunities.

"Graham has put his confidence in me and I was really pleased to get on there on Saturday.

"But I am not going to give up my position easily.

"Obviously Martin and David are away so the opportunity is there. Each week that goes by and you are involved in the side you become a better player for it.

"I am going to make sure they have to work hard to get back in.

"Martin is an absolutely class player. There is no question about that, but, hopefully, I can prove myself a bit more and prove my worth."