Ilkeston Line up:-

Nangle comes close	Thommo heads over	Coates gets stuck in

Ilkeston Town approached today's game against Bridlington Town weakened by the loss of three key midfielders. Marc Laws was suspended, Russell Cooke came down with and Alex Callery was avoiding being cup tied. Steve Coates and Kristian Stephens came in to the centre of midfield with Mark Nangle returning up front freeing Chris Thompson to play wide. Bridlington Town have like the Robins made a good start to the season and bolstered by the inclusion of two ex Robins manager Billy and central defender Steven Heath they took the game to Ilkeston.

It was Bridlington who took the lead on 17 minutes when a perfectly weighted cross was headed home by Kevin Smith. Ilkeston tried to get back into the game but were frustrated by the well organised visitors. Bridlington defended well but also looked dangerous on the break and five minutes into added time in the first half they scored a second when Danny Holyoak gave away a free kick thirty five yards from goal. Another superbly weighted cross was headed home this time by Paul Palmer. 

After the interval Aaron O'Connor replaced Fabian Smith and Ilkeston looked more of an attacking force. Bridlington however were happy to sit back and soak up the pressure. Mark Lever came close with an header on 55 minutes and five minutes Mark Nangle missed a golden chance after good work by O'Connor. On 64 minutes the Robins got the goal their play deserved when Chris Thompson's hard work resulted in a cross which Mark Nangle converted from two yards out.

Minutes later Bridlngton lost centre half Lee Harper through injury and they did not look so self assured at the back. Aaron O'Connor had a good shot after an excellent turn in the box. Ilkeston piled on the pressure looking for an equaliser forcing a series of corners and from one of these taken by Aaron O'Connor Mark Nangle headed over the bar. Chris Thompson, Aaron O'Connor and Chris Freestone all saw shots go close but Bridlington held out even surviving a very good shout for a penalty when Chris Thompson appeared to have been fouled in the box.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Chris Thompson - Had an excellent game in a match where many Ilkeston players only had average games. Thommo worked hard and was Ilkeston's most consistent attacking threat.

Coates in the thick of it	Lever rises	O'Connor attacks