Ilkeston Town vs Gresley Rovers
Rovers and out - Andy Parker - Burton Mail
Gresley Rovers limped out of the New Manor Ground last night wondering if a season that promised much could finally yield nothing but disappointment.
Manager Steve Dolby confessed after seeing his team knocked out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup: "The run of games we're having is making a very big effect on us. We looked very tired tonight but there's no point in going on about it.
"Injuries are beginning to pile up but that wasn't an excuse for our defeat tonight - we were just outfought."
Rovers Boddington's League hosts came out with all guns blazing and after Mike Taplin had brought an excellent third-minute save out of Alan Rigby Gresley were forced to defend.
Jamie Kay sent a spectacular header against Bob Aston's crossbar but the reprieve was only temporary. Steve McLoughlin knocked an 18th minute corner to the far post, Aston came but failed to collect and Kevin Cresswell headed into the far corner.
Rovers responded well with Cresswell clearing Devaney's shot off the line before Taplin delivered a deserved equaliser, superbly threading a free kick into the top corner after Martin Devaney had been fouled on the edge of the box.
Rovers were looking the better bet with Mark Hurst regularly getting round the Ilkeston defence but then it all went wrong.
Devaney was wrestled off the ball in midfield but the referee - if he saw it at all - saw nothing wrong Ilkeston broke swiftly, Simon Osbourne firing home the rebound after McLoughlin's first time effort had been blocked.
Rovers could not find an extra gear and even after Kay was sent off after leaving Aston needing stitches in a mouth injury Ilkeston still looked in charge. Osbourne forced his way past Stuart Evans and lobbed Aston but the back hit a divot and swerved horrendously wide for a goal kick at the last moment.
The game ended in acrimony with Dolby on the pitch attending injured substitute Martin Dick while Mr Robinson and his hapless officials let play continue.
The referee, having awarded a mind-numbing 51 free kicks, added almost 10 minutes of injury time but when Gil Land's close range shot came back off the crossbar the game was up.
Ilkeston Town (1) 2
Gresley Rovers (1) 1
Scorers: Creswell 18, Osbourne 63 (Ilkeston Town); Taplin 38 (Gresley Rovers).
Ilkeston Town: Rigby, Fletcher, Morris, Humphreys, Cresswell, Bailey, Campbell, Harbottle, Kay, Osbourne, McLoughlin. Subs not used: Igoe, Burrell.
Gresley Rovers: Aston, Foster, Rigg (Dick 68), Denby, Evans, Land, Wardle, Taplin, Devaney, Hurst (Marsden 68).
Gresley man-of-the-match: Stuart Evans.
Referee: P Robinson (Duffield).
Attendance: 1216
