Ilkeston Line up:-

Manager Phil Stant reverted to a 4-4-2 formation for Ilkeston Town's last game of 2003 against bottom of the table Shepshed Dynamo. On the bench the Robins included new signings James Tevendale on loan from Hucknall Town and Chris Glarvey a permanent signing from King's Lynn.

Ilkeston started brightly and pinned Shepshed back in their own half without being able to open the scoring. Michael Lyons and Chris Freestone both came close but the best chance fell to Paul Hurrell who failed to convert a cross which was held up by a swirling wind.

As the half wore on the home side grew in confidence and could have easily took the lead themselves.

After the break Ilkeston took the game to Shepshed and should have opened their account. David Jervis made some probing runs down the left and was unlucky to be denied a penalty in the 51 st minute. James Tevendale replaced Paul Hurrell and almost scored with his first touch after an excellent cross by Jervis. Then Graham Lewis had a shot saved when he connected with a John Burns cross only to see his shot saved by the excellent Richard Keeling in the Shepshed goal. Five minutes later Lewis was clear on goal but he hesitated and he was foiled by a last ditch tackle.

Shepshed held firm and started to pose a threat themselves. On 61 minutes Danny Holyoak was caught out and Robert Johnson should have scored but was foiled by an excellent tackle by Tony Brown.

Ilkeston replied positively and a Graham Lewis cross caught everybody out and grazed the bar. Shepshed however came close twice but were foiled by Ross Turner.

Shepshed bought on ex Robin Tom Williams but the nearest either team came to scoring was when John Burns produced a delightful chip into box which somehow evaded three Ilkeston forwards. In the dying minutes Ilkeston looked to bring on Mark Laws but the referee blew for time adding only 34 seconds of added time despite the fact there were five substitutions two lengthy injuries and a scuffle which resulted in a booking and a stern lecture.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Michael Lyons - Had an excellent game spraying passes about in tandem with fellow midfielder John Burns.

In the end this has to be two points lost rather than a point gained. Shepshed are bottom of the table and if Ilkeston are to finish in the top seven these are the teams they have to beat. Saying that Ilkeston could have easily come away with nothing because once Shepshed weathered the early pressure at the start of each half they started to unlock a shaky Robins defence and they had some excellent chances particularly in the second half.

Ilkeston played well in patches especially in midfield where Michael Lyons and John Burns look a different class at this level. Unfortunately the Robins the ball did not fall kindly for the attackers who had a frustrating afternoon dealing with difficult half chances and a resolute home defence. Ilkeston's problems seem now to be in defence and Danny Holyoak so reliable early in the season is having a spell where he looks totally out of touch. Tony Brown may be a bit slow but he attacks the ball and clears when he needs to. Christian Stephens still looks uncomfortable at right back and David Jervis looks excellent going forward but not so secure when under pressure. 

It was however good to see Ross Turner have such a fine game after a couple of nervous outings when he first signed.

Ilkeston will be fully stretched to beat a resurgent Gresley Rovers but hopefully they will get the run of the ball like they did against Heanor Town and come away with three points.