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In a scrappy opening to the game Willenhall did most of the pressing and they had a good appeal for a penalty turned down when Lever appeared to haul down Quilt. Shortly after wards Goddard was harshly booked after he collided with the Willenhall keeper after chasing a through ball. Liam Walshe was also cautioned shortly afterwards for a late challenge on Myers.
On 19 minutes Knapper played a short corner to David Jervis and his cross was headed against the bar by Goddard. Ilkeston were starting to get back into the game and were holding Willenhall well. On 44 minutes the Robins got the break they were looking for when the Willenhall failed to clear a Knapper corner and Walshe drove home from 20 yards.
After the break Craig Swinscoe replaced the injured Jervis. Ilkeston forced a number of corners early but could not increase their lead. Disaster struck for Ilkeston after 50 minutes when Ross Turner came out of his area to clear with his head. The referee adjudged the challenge to be illegal and booked Turner. From resulting free kick Creighton took advantage of some poor marking to head home the equaliser.
Willenhall were now the stronger side and Ilkeston were now looking to defend the draw. However on 78 minutes Willenhall bought on Jason Smith to replace Field and three minutes later the diminutive sub rose unchallenged to score what proved to be the winning goal.
WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Liam Walshe (pictured below) – A welcome return to top form and Ilkeston's goalscorer.
Despite all the doom and gloom amongst many fans all is not lost and if Ilkeston will all their remaining games they will be guaranteed an automatic promotion spot. This sounds like a tall order but it only takes AFC Telford and Willenhall to slip up drop a few points and the Robins task will not look so awesome.
Like many people I think it will go right to the last game before the dice is cast but whatever happens like everything else that ahs happened to Ilkeston Town since they were formed in 1945 there will never be a dull moment. remember to hold tight it could be a very bumpy emotional ride.
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Ilkeston
Town signalled their by naming three centre backs in a very defensive
line up and after 44 minutes it seemed to be working a treat.
Willenhall are probably the strongest opposition the Robins had to
play before the end of the season. A win against such opposition would
have been a massive confidence booster. However it was not to be and a
combination of bizarre refereeing and poor defending sealed the Robins
fate.