an unused substitute in the 2008 FA Trophy Final, as Torquay lost 1–0 to Ebbsfleet United at Wembley Stadium. He was transfer-listed by manager Paul Buckle in June 2008, but forced his way back into the first team after Torquay made a bad start to the 2008–09 season. He played 32 games despite missing a three-month period recovering from surgery after he ruptured the main supporting ligament in his ankle. After forming a solid partnership with Chris Todd at the heart of defence, Torquay were promoted back to the Football League after beating Cambridge United 2–0 in the Conference National play-off final at Wembley. Robertson was linked to a move to Burton Albion in summer 2009, but instead signed a one-year contract after protracted negotiations. He played 50 matches in the 2009–10 season, and signed a two-year contract as United finished comfortably in mid-table. A club record run of ten clean sheets was ended after 998 minutes without a goal four matches into the 2010–11 season. United reached the play-off final, but lost 1–0 to Stevenage at Old Trafford. An ever-present in the back four in the 2011–12 campaign by the January transfer window, Robertson began to attract the interest of other clubs as manager Martin Ling struggled to find the money to compete with other interested parties. At the time of his departure Torquay were aiming for automatic promotion after a lengthy series of victories. In his absence the club finished fifth, and lost to Cheltenham Town in the play-off semi-finals. Preston North End In January 2012, Robertson signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with League One side Preston North End for an undisclosed transfer fee (later reported to be £60,000). He scored his first goal for the club on 14 April against Huddersfield Town, and after the game was praised by manager Graham Westley for his application and character. Due to the form of summer signings Paul Huntington and Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, Robertson had to wait until 14 October for his first league appearance of the 2012–13 season, when he put in a "terrific display" and again earned praise from Westley for his hard work and professionalism. He was limited to a total of 24 league starts over the course of the campaign, and decided to leave the club after failing to play at Deepdale under new boss Simon Grayson. Port Vale He signed with newly promoted League One club Port