Ilkeston Line up:-

Ilkeston Town manager Phil Stant had to reshuffle the Robins pack after Paul Eshelby and John Burns picked up injuries in the heroic and victorious struggle against local rivals Alfreton Town on Tuesday night. Tony Brown returned in defence and Liam Walshe and Chris Thompson were bought in to bolster the midfield. On the bench long term injury victim Russell Cooke made a welcome return and Stant included his own son Craig Stant as an Ilkeston substitute.

With both teams looking to avoid defeat rather than go all out to win the game was predictably a scrappy affair. Swindon had the edge in the first half but failed to trouble the much improved Ilkeston rearguard and the Robins sat back and mopped cup any dangerous Swindon attacks.

On 46 minutes the Robins got their reward for their patient play when Marc Laws (pictured left) 20 yard shot was deflected past a bemused Swindon keeper. Chris Thompson claims hit came off his knee but a local reporter swears it flew in off a defender but most observers gave the goal to Marc Laws.

Ilkeston then started to control the game and with the midfield hunting in packs Swindon found it impossible to break down the stubborn Ilkeston resistance. The home sides best chance came in the dying seconds when substitute Justin Miller had a free header but managed to head the ball wide.

After recent results it was no surprise that Ilkeston held for another valuable three points.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Liam Walshe - (pictured below left)  - A commanding presence in midfield and in the second half he dominated proceedings. An excellent performance.

The dreams of getting a top seven place at the end of the season is still alive after another excellent away performance. The secret of Ilkeston recent success can be put down to two factors. The first is the defensive formation deployed by Phil Stant which has frustrated the opposition and the improved understanding between the defence and keeper Ross Turner. In fact Turner is proving that he is an excellent keeper.

This was an very good all round performance by a team that is growing in confidence despite regularly losing players through injury. Craig Swinscoe has aggravated an hamstring injury and John Burns, Paul Eshelby and David Jervis are still on the sidelines.

Three points against Bromsgrove Rovers could see Ilkeston breathing down the necks of those teams in eighth and ninth place.