Ilkeston Line up:-

Ilkeston Town welcomed bottom of the table to the New Manor Ground hoping to record their first home league win since September. Danny Holyoak returned after suspension to replace Craig Swinscoe and Paul Eshelby came in for Gavin Smith who was relegated to the bench.

 The wintry showers gave way to bright sunshine as the teams kicked off but Cinderford soon made the Robins day look gloomy when Jamie Hammond had time to control the ball and pick his spot from 18 yards out to put the visitors one up after only four minutes. Despite the early set back Ilkeston were soon back in the game when on 18 minutes Aaron O’Connor controlled a deep cross on his chest and volleyed a tremendous shot past the despairing dive of Andy Fisher in the visitors goal. Ilkeston were now putting Cinderford under great pressure without creating any clear cut chances. On 40 minutes Phil Stant rang the changes bringing on Marc Laws in place of Michael Lyons. Although the Robins were enjoying the bulk of the possession Cinderford were still looking dangerous on the break and deep into the injury they retook the lead when Mark Lever and Joe Atkinson failed to clear their lines and Simon Trueman’s shot deflected off Paul Eshelby and past the stranded Ross Turner.

After the break Ilkeston went in search of an equaliser and were becoming encamped in the Cinderford half. Andy Fisher however was in inspired form. On 48 minutes he dropped a freekick but scraped the ball clear and then seconds later he made an excellent save from a tremendous shot by Marc Laws. At the other end a weak clearance almost embarrassed Ross Turner but the resulting lobbed shot fell kindly into his arms. Ilkeston continued to press forward and Chris Freestone should have done better when he headed over after an excellent cross from Darren Knowles. After 61 minutes the visitors survived another goalmouth scramble and from the resulting corner Mark Lever directed a header straight at the keeper. Three minutes later Steve Johnson had a header as Cinderford’s defending became more desperate. 

To try and get back into the game Manager Phil Stant took the opportunity to bring himself on in place of Andy Evans. On 69 minutes Chris Freestone missed yet another golden opportunity and Steve Johnson excellent drive was brilliantly saved by Andy Fisher. This flurry of activity got the crowd cheering and urging the Robins on. However Fisher in the visitors goal had other ideas and made excellent saves from Phil Stant, Chris Freestone, Marc Laws and Danny Holyoak. After 89 minutes when Paul Eshelby cross was handled but the referee judged it was outside the box and it looked as though Ilkeston were going to be out of luck and pointless. However deep into injury time Paul Eshelby broke clear and drove the ball across the face of the goal. Phil Stant got a flick to it and the ball fell to Aaron O’Connor on the far post who made no mistake from two yards out.

WhiteBallProject Man of the Match - Aaron O’Connor – excellent first goal and a constant threat crowned with a dramatic equaliser. Just pipped Steve Johnson and Darren Knowles.

This was a game Ilkeston should have won. Cinderford are not a very good side and Shepshed apart one of the weakest teams to grace the NMG this season. The reality is that Ilkeston could not beat them but the positive note is that they rescues a point after they seemed dead and buried. The reason for Ilkeston not winning could be the woeful finishing, dreadfully bad luck or an inspired performance by Andy Fisher the visitors custodian. Ultimately it was probably all three.

Many fans were surprised that Craig Swinscoe did not warrant a place in the starting line up after some excellent displays filling in at centre back. Despite their dominance over Cinderford Ilkeston still looked vulnerable at the back. There will be also some sympathy for Michael Lyons who gave the ball away in the build up for the visitors first goal and then spent the rest of the first half trying to make amends. Unfortunately the harder he tried the worst it got and eventually Phil Stant replaced him with Marc Laws (pictured left). Lyons did not look too pleased with being substituted but he is a player with an excellent touch and he will bounce back. 

The most pleasing aspect of the game was the performance of Aaron O'Connor who seems to be finding the form that tempted Scunthorpe into giving him a chance as a professional. In the form he is at the moment it would be interesting to see how successful he would be in the middle rather than stuck out on the right as crossing a ball is not his biggest asset.

On Tuesday Ilkeston get the chance to gain some revenge over Gresley Rovers. Ilkeston could be favourites because it is not a league game and it is a away. Cynics would say the Robins are lucky the game is not two legged because they would have to build up an healthy lead before they returned to the NMG for a second leg.