Ilkeston Town manager  Phil Stant bravely dropped Nigel Jemson and replaced him with out of favour Justin Jenkins for the visit of in form Mossley who included ex Robin Paul Challinor as captain and were fielding Rodhri Giggs brother of Ryan Giggs. The Robins also recalled Richard Lucas who replaced Allan Davies, Chris Adam who replaced Ryan Hindley and Gareth Holmes (pictured left) who replaced his namesake David Holmes.

Despite the team changes it was Mossley who started brightly and it was no surprise when they took the lead after three minutes when Giggs got clear on the right and crossed for Jordan Goodeve to score with a free header. Ilkeston replied with an equaliser within three minutes. Chris Adam’s corner found Mark Clifford who failed to connect but the ball fell to Justin Jenkins who hammered the ball home.

Despite the equaliser Ilkeston were looking very nervous at the back and yet another tense moment was resolved when Turner made a fine save. Jenkins was proving a handful at the other end for the Mossley defence and on 13 minutes he broke free again and shot just over.

Minutes later Chris Downey almost scored with a speculative lob which Turner just managed to get back to clear. and then the same outfought Hoyle but shot harmlessly over the bar.

Ilkeston were giving the ball away too easily but were still able to mount attacks on the Mossley goal and after 21 minutes Mick Goddard got on the end of  fine Adam cross to head just over the bar.  Then Gareth Holmes had a shot well blocked with the rebound falling back into his path his second effort was well saved by the keeper. Two minutes later Clifford fed Jenkins who turned smartly and then forced another good save from Lee Bracey in the visitors goal.

Ilkeston were however still looking fragile at the back and they were fortunate to escape after Turner missed a cross on the half hour. At the other end Clifford was again provider as Goddard battled through and cleverly lobbed the keeper only to see his effort just clear the bar. There was little let up in the action as half time and the Robins had another narrow escape when Melford Knight headed over  from a left wing cross.

After the break Ilkeston continue to press and Jenkins forced a good save from Bracey after being set up by Goddard and then Jenkins came close with aheader after an excellent cross from Holmes.

On 50 minutes Mossley thought they should have had a penalty but referee Smith ignored their protests and waived play on. Substitute Leon Mike had started to make an impression and forced a fine save from Turner in fact the ex Aberdeen started to become Mossley's greatest threat as in the next few minutes he came close with several headed efforts. Ilkeston were now under great pressure and finding chances of their own more difficult to come by. As the game started to head towards the final whistle the Mossley defence started to become more jittery and the Robins sensed that there may be a chance of a winner. But with two minutes Mossley had their best chance of the game when the ball fell to Melford Knight ten yards out but he shot wide when it looked easier to score.

After 89 minutes the ball was yet again pumped into the Mossley penalty area and a defender attempted clearance was blocked and fell to Jenkins who blasted into the net via the underside of the bar. The New Manor Ground erupted in celebration and the shirtless Jenkins was mobbed by his team mates. There was a few minutes of  injury time just enough to see Paul Challinor booked for another crude tackle on Goddard.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Justin Jenkins  (pictured below) – A fairy tale performance and Man of the Match by a country mile. Well done Justin!!