Ilkeston Line up:-

Ilkeston Town introduced new signings Gavin Saxby who is loan from Alfreton Town and Darren Knowles signed from Stocksbridge Park Steels into a team that were looking to make it a run of four away wins on the trot. Saxby replaced the injured Ross Turner and Knowles replaced Craig Swinscoe who was relegated to the bench.

Ilkeston started the game brightly and forced  Ryan Price in the Swifts goal into making early saves from Danny Holyoak and Andy Evans. Stourport adopted a surprisingly negative approach in front of a very sparse crowd and were punished on 42 minutes when Marc Laws threaded a through ball through the visitors defence. The ball took a deflection and Paul Eshelby (pictured right) got there just before the keeper to prod the ball home. Minutes later Eshelby almost doubled his tally on the stroke of half time but was foiled by a brilliant save by Price. 

The Robins continued to dominate the second half and Gavin Smith missed a glorious chance when he blasted over when it looked easier to score. Ilkeston made life difficult for themselves when Danny Holyoak was dismissed for pulling back Robbie Taylor. The referee did not appear to see the incident but the linesman did and after gentle persuasion from the Stourport bench Holyoak was shown the red crad.

Stourport sensed they were in with a chance of rescuing a point and put Ilkeston under more pressure but the Robins defence superbly marshaled by debutant Darren Knowles held firm securing the coveted fourth straight away win on the bounce.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Darren Knowles - Showed all his experience in what was a faultless performance at the back, pipped the impressive Michael Lyons for the sheriffs badge.

Ilkeston Town continue to baffle the pundits by winning away by the odd goal and looking really impressive but losing at home and well looking less than impressive. Comments suggesting that Ilkeston should play all their games away from home reflect the fans bemusement.

Today's performance was an excellent all round team performance with all areas pulling their weight. Darren Knowles added calm and composure at the back and looks to be an excellent signing. In fact the Robins played several different defensive formation with Danny Holyoak being sent off and Tony Brown getting injured after the break. Craig Swinscoe and Gavin Smith both filled in at the centre of the defence.

Despite the joy of another away win most fans will now want to see Ilkeston end their depressing run at home. It must come soon and in the next few weeks or so there will be plenty of opportunities to reverse the current trend. A win against Clevedon next Saturday would do very nicely indeed.