Ilkeston Line up:-

O'Connor gets close attention	Smith is fouled yet again	Lever is outnumbered

A sign of a successful side is when they can name an unchanged team. Charlie Bishop was able to do just that as the Robins faced the unbeaten and top of the table team Sutton Coldfield Town. The Ilkeston manager even named himself as one of the substitutes after a recent man of the match performance for the reserves.

Sutton started the game strongly and played as though their life depended on it. Their high level of motivation was rewarded on 13 minutes when they scored a goal from a free kick after Mark Lever was harshly adjudged to have committed afoul on the edge of the area. Mark Wolsely bent the ball low around a disorganised wall and although Andy Love reached the ball he was only able to help it into the net. Ilkeston's reply was immediate and Fabian Smith was unlucky to see a shot hit the post and rebound straight into the arms of Justin Bray in the Sutton goal. Smith was causing the visitors defence all sorts of problems and the action became more robust resulting in Sutton having two players booked in quick succession. Ilkeston continued to push forward with little success and they deservedly went in at half time 0-1 down.

The Robins continued to push forward after the break and Sutton continued to indulge in some over zealous tackling. Shortly after the interval they had their fourth player booked. Ilkeston however were having problem breaking down the visitors defence and were being repeatedly being caught off side.  Their best chance came on 57 minutes when Chris Thompson headed narrowly wide after good work by Fabian Smith and Marc Laws. 

Ilkeston were now starting to create some openings and Chris Freestone had a good chance after an excellent cross by Aaron O'Connor but he headed wide. The Robins finally got the goal their enterprising play deserved on 67 minutes when Marc Laws picked up on a loose ball on the edge of the box and shot powerfully towards goal. The ball took a deflection of a defender which was enough to beat the keeper and put Ilkeston level. 

Sutton replied by pushing forward and sloppy defending meant Andy Love had to make a number of excellent saves. Their were chances opening up at both ends and Chris Freestone again came close from an excellent cross by Russell Cooke. Ilkeston had at least two good penalty appeals turned down as the seconds ticked away both Aaron O'Connor and Marc Laws appeared to have been fouled but referee Smith ignored the loud appeals. Just as it looked as though the sides would be sharing the spoils and with four minutes of injury time already having been played Russell Cooke was fouled on the edge of the box. Joe Atkinson came up to take a delightfully flighted free kick which was met strongly by the head of Chris Thompson to give Ilkeston the lead and the three points.

As the referee blew for full time Ilkeston celebrations were in contrast to Sutton aggressive remonstrations to the referee. There calls of "cheats" from the Sutton fans which was a bit rich considering they at least six players booked to Ilkeston's none.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Russell Cooke -  A star performance on a night of many good displays. Marc Laws in the second and Fabian Smith in the first were both outstanding. Danny Holyoak and Marc Levers were again strong but the MOM goes to midfield anchor man Russell Cooke.