Jervis challenges	Me me! I know the answer!	Gaunt and Jemson on the attack

Ilkeston Town drafted in Dan Robinson (pictured left) and Justin Jenkins to replace the suspended Ross Turner and Stuart Copnell as they entertained the in form Kendal Town. Before the game started Ilkeston were presented with the Fair Play award for November and in the opening it looked like they might be rewarded with an early lead as the Robins created the best of the opening chances. However the visitors keeper Kirk Hallam born Mark Thornley was in inspired and made several excellent especially against the unfortunate Jenkins.

After 21 minutes and against the run Kendal’s Dave Foster latched on to a long ball and found himself with enough space to coolly slot the ball past Dan Robinson to give the visitors the lead.  Ilkeston pushed for an equaliser but yet again after 36 minutes Jenkins was again thwarted by Thornley. Minutes later Chris Adam put too good balls across the box but no one could get on the end of them.

Kendal were also threatening to score and Lee Ashcroft had a good shot saved by Robinson four minutes before the break. Ilkeston came closest to evening up the score when a Craig Gaunt header was cleverly flicked on by Jenkins only for Thornley to pull off another good save.

In the last game at the New Manor Ground Ilkeston came out for the second in excellent form unfortunately there was no repeat today and within three minutes of the restart Kendal were 2-0 up. Kenny Mayers scored after Lee Ashcroft outwitted Darren Knowles and provided an inch perfect cross for the visitors top scorer to head home. Nine minutes later the game was all over when Ricky Mercer scored with an explosive drive from twenty five yards out.

Ilkeston were now being thoroughly outplayed but after 65 minutes David Jervis burst into the box and sent in a rasping cross which was deflected just past the post. Within seconds Jenkins beat two defenders only to be bought down. It looked to be well inside the box and Jenkins was lying on he floor at least three yards inside the box. However referee Foley gave a freekick rather than a penalty the Robins had expected. The decision further deflated Ilkeston and Kendal had two good chances to go further ahead when Mayer and Mercer both came close.

After 76 minutes Jenkins found himself with easiest chance of the game but he seemed to stub his toe and the chance was gone.  The Robins finally got something from the game when Nigel Jemson cleverly fed Ryan Hindley who coolly drilled his shot past Thornley two minutes into added time. Ilkeston almost got a second from a corner and the resulting goalmouth scramble resulted in a minor punch up. Seconds later the final whistle sounded and a dejected Ilkeston squad trooped off wondering what might have been had they converted their early chances.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Nigel Jemson (pictured below) – One of the few players who did themselves justice to day the other being Craig Gaunt.