Ilkeston Line up:-

Ilkeston Town's abysmal home form continues with another depressing home performance. Manager Phil Stant introduced Scott Jones recent signing from Matlock Town into the defence to replace the injured Tony Brown. Chris Freestone (pictured left) replaced the injured Liam Walshe but moved up front as Ilkeston reverted to a 4-4-2 formation in attempt to halt their losing streak at the New Manor Ground.

Ilkeston started well and matched Clevedon Town. The Robins were starting the ball around with confidence when on 17 minutes they were crocked by a 30 yard screamer from James Zabek after the defence had failed to clear the ball successfully.

Worse was to follow when six minutes later when Arthur Appleton ran at the Robins rearguard turned inside and fired an excellent shot past the despairing dive of Gavin Saxby.

Ilkeston made their own mark on the game and were given some hope when Chris Freestone scored with an excellent looping header from a Darren Knowles cross after 29 minutes. Clevedon however had other ideas and on 38 minutes Ilkeston's now beleaguered defence again failed to clear and Olly Price scored with a looping header which beat Saxby and hit the bar and rebounded into the net.

Two minutes later the agony was increased when Thomas Jacobs was given time and space to shoot home from the edge of the area to make it 4-1.

After the break Craig Swinscoe was bought on to replace the struggling debutant Scott Jones. The substitution did not change the Robins fortunes and on 56 minutes Thomas Jacobs added his second when he scored with an easy tap in.

Ilkeston made a double change on 64 minutes when Chris Thompson and Aaron O'Connor replaced Andy Evans and Marc Laws. The change was greeted with boos from the Ilkeston crowd as Marc Laws had provided Ilkeston with their few creative threats. However the move sparked Ilkeston into life and with three up front Clevedon were put under serious pressure for the first time in the game. Although Aaron O'Connor came close after 69 minutes Clevedon forced Saxby into an excellent save minutes later and then Thomas Jacobs should have scored his hat trick after a breakaway put him clear but he missed his chance.

On 78 minutes Chris Thompson turned his marker and had an excellent shot saved by the keeper. the ball fell to Paul Eshelby who fired home despite the linesman having his flag up. The referee consulted his assistant but gave the goal. After the game linesman admitted he had his flag up because he thought the keeper had been knocked out by the power of Thompson's initial shot.

Ilkeston continued to push forward and with four minutes remaining appeared to have a perfectly good penalty appeal turned down after Chris Thompson struck a defenders arm. Chris Freestone did however score his second of the afternoon but it was far too late to influence the final outcome and The Robins slipped to yet another home defeat.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Chris Freestone - Came back after being out of favour and scored a brace to show why he is still the club's top scorer this season. Michael Lyons was yet again just beaten into second place.

It is getting increasingly difficult to think of plausible excuses for Ilkeston's abysmal home form and their impressive away form. What was plain to see that the Robins have big problems in defence. They obviously missed Tony Brown and Liam Walshe who although not a defender sits in front of the two centre backs and guards that space. Scott Jones looked off the pace and for somebody with League experience he looked a bit out of his depth. The defence do lack confidence and once they concede a goal especially early in the game they start to flounder and then the marking goes to pot.

The 4-4-2 formation also left Ilkeston looking very lightweight in midfield. Marc Laws, Michael Lyons, Paul Eshelby and Gavin Smith are all creative players with skilful touches but most successful midfields have at least one animal who protects and destroys.

Tuesday's night game against Gresley is a big game for both clubs but for Ilkeston it will interesting to see what effect the second half success of the second half forward trio of Aaron O'Connor, Chris Thompson (pictured above left) and Chris Freestone will play in Manager Phil Stant's team selection. The threesome where successful under Charlie Bishop but will their inclusion from the start give Ilkeston a more positive outlook. There is one theory that if your defence is a bit suspect (and yes Ilkeston's is at home) the best way to protect them is to attack as much as you can to keep the ball away from them. Also the idea behind the game is to score more than the opposition so on Tuesday we will settle for a 6-5 victory.