Ilkeston Line up:-

Laws is outnumbered	Just over!	MOM Stant challenges

New boss Phil Stant gave debuts to on loan signings from Lincoln City Darren Horrigan and David Coulson and was also able to welcome back Chris Thompson and Jo Atkinson to first team action. Fabian Smith also made a surprise return after having appeared to have signed for Eastwood Town in midweek. The visitors Swindon Supermarine were also sporting a new manager Ray Baverstock who had only left the club last Tuesday but after they failed to replace him he was persuaded to return.

Phil Stant was given a stark reminder of the Robins recent problems when after only 10 minutes Aaron O'Connor damaged his already injured arm and had to retire from the game. The manager found himself the only fit striker on the books and at the grand old age of 41 came on for his first game of the season. After 20 minutes it was Stant himself who nearly opened the scoring for Ilkeston when he stooped low to head against a post and 14 minutes later he came close again when he connected with a Fabian Smith cross. Ilkeston continued up to the break with the bulk of the possession but unable to unhinge a tight Swindon defence.

Stant again came close straight the interval when he turned cleverly only to see his shot well saved by King in the visitors goal. It was Swindon however who took the lead on 55 minutes when Joe Atkinson fouled Justin Miller in the box and captain Giles Harris sent Darren Horrigan the wrong way. Ilkeston fought back well and within minutes Chris Thompson should have equalised for the Robins when he twice had shots which were blocked by the Swindon defence. Then Stant played Thompson through only for the strikers shot to be deflected into the side netting. Debutant David Coulson then had a couple of good headers as Ilkeston started to pile on the pressure. On 70 minutes the impressive Marc Laws beat several defenders by the corner and crossed for Mark Hurst to shoot striaght at the keeper. 

Despite the home side's pressure it was Swindon who almost added to their lead when James Carter had an header from a freekick brilliantly saved by David Horrigan. In the closing minutes Fabian Smith almost rescued a point for Ilkeston when his clever overhead kick sailed narrowly over the bar,

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Phil Stant - Despite being twice the age of nearly every other player in the Ilkeston side Stant looked head and shoulders above them in terms of football know how. Other debutants Dave Horrigan and David Coulson also had impressive games.

Since Tuesday night things have happened very quickly at the NMG. Charlie Bishop was sacked on Wednesday and Phil Stant was appointed on Thursday and took training that very night. Ex commando Stant had the players training Saturday morning and certainly means business. It's just a pity that Ilkeston could not have beat Swindon and made it the perfect start. However not for the first Ilkeston lost to a team who were not that good. Ilkeston had many more chances to score than Swindon but could not convert their possession into goals. The main difference under the new regime is that the players kept their heads up and kept plugging away and with a bit of luck they could have got something out of the game.

Manager Phil Stant will now be well aware of the problems the Robins have at the moment. The midfield is still too lightweight and the attack is almost non existent with all the strikers either sidelined or carrying injuries. On the bright side the defence looked much tighter with new boys Darren Horrigan and David Coulson looking impressive.

Coulson, Thompson & keeper	Atkinson wins this duel	Keeper saves and Stant looks on