by Raul Fletcher

A strong first-half performance from an Ilkeston team resulted in a their establishing a 2-0 half time lead, and one sensed that the Guiseley boys had a great deal of work to do in the second half if they were to secure any points from this match.

The opening goal was a well-struck twenty-yard shot, but Guiseley coach Dave Currie will surely have been disappointed to have seen the scorer travel twenty yards with the ball unchallenged before shooting.

The crucial second goal came about as a result of a difficult wide cross’ being parried by Guiseley keeper Clark, allowing an alert Ilkeston forward to produce a cool finish.

Ilkeston appeared to adopt a ‘bagging the points’ exercise in the second half, and it seemed to be working until the introduction of three Guiseley substitutes in or about the sixtieth minute.

Charles and Ledger in particular pepped up the Guiseley effort, and the Lions were rewarded for their positive approach with an excellent goal in the 75th minute when striker Robinson headed a deep cross from McLeod back across the ‘keeper into the far corner of the net.

Guiseley continued to press up to the final minute and were close to snatching an equaliser on a couple of occasions.

Man of the Match: Ben Whitfield