Ilkeston Line up:-

Ilkeston Town made the long journey to Taunton knowing that that victory would put them within three points of the top of the table. The Robins were rocked by the absence of Alex Callery who has been recalled by Worksop Town and Mark Nangle who was getting married. Ilkeston did however welcome back Steve Coates who took his place on the subs bench with Fabian Smith replacing Callery and Aaron O'Connor making his first start of the season up front of the soon to be hitched Nangle.

Ilkeston as usual started the game brightly and were on top for the first twenty minutes or so but Taunton who favoured a more direct approach to their football gradually got back into the game and looked the stronger team as they went in at half time. 

The second half was a scrappy affair with both working exceptionally hard and both having chances to take the lead. The deciding goal however was a cracker. Chris Thompson broke down the right turned inside a scored with a tremendous shot from a tight angle. Ilkeston easily held on their lead defending with great authority as they had done the whole game. Mark Lever and Danny Holyoak were excellent in defence and Benn Simms had another excellent game.

The unfortunate Steve Coates came on as sub but picked up a head injury in the dying minutes and on the bus felt unwell and was ferried to a hospital in Taunton were he was being kept under observation. His condition is not thought to be too serious but it is best to err on the side of caution.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Mark Lever - Commanding at the back producing an excellent performance in what was a tremendous team effort.