Ilkeston Town 3-1 Hitchin Town: Report by Pipeman at New Manor Ground. Photographs by Peter Else

Hitchin made their maiden visit to the New Manor Ground, which, with its artificial pitch and excellent facilities, was a pleasure to see.

Both clubs had a very similar record in terms of results, and thus a good match was deemed to be in prospect, and, of course, the rainy weather would not cause any threat of postponement with such a pitch.

There was one change from the team that earned a 1-1 draw at Nuneaton, with Bradley Bell coming in as wing back since Toby Syme had failed a fitness test. Diogo Freitas-Gouveia was back in the squad and initially on the substitutes' bench.

Ilkeston, in red and white stripes began, kicking towards the open, non-terraced end and soon won a free-kick and the first action was a fine cross/shot from Montel Gibson. Hitchin responded with an attack on the right, ending with a foul of from Bradley Bell.

With Stephen Gleeson winning a free-kick just beyond the 'D', there was a chance. This was struck by Rio Dasilva, too high but it won a corner that was defended. Snelus conceded a free-kick, taken by Jack Thomas and then another was conceded in a much more dangerous area, but competently defended.

Ilkeston Town 3-1 Hitchin Town: Report by Pipeman at New Manor Ground. Photographs by Peter Else

After nearly a quarter of an hour matters looked even until Steve Cawley, with superb control gave the Canaries the lead, answering the frequent plea of maximising opportunities. It was an audacious move and a vital goal. Gleeson's patent corner was then beaten away, but Hitchin were growing in confidence.

A free-kick, wide on the right from Joseph Wilson was headed clear by Gleeson and the hosts were finding co-ordinated play a little difficult. Hitchin were awarded a free kick, centrally at about twenty yards, which Gleeson sent wide. Lamine Sherif was cautioned for the foul.

Hitchin's next attack saw a headed effort from Lewis Barker. Back came Ilkeston with an attack on the left, which was looking good until the referee awarded a free-kick to Hitchin. Bell's neat pass to Cawley was near perfect, but so was the judgement of goalkeeper Oliver Battersby. It needed to be.

Ilkeston had a free-kick on the right and Dasilva was cautioned for the challenge. Wilson's free-kick was adequately defended. Bradley's forward pass sought out Christopher O'Grady, but Horlock intervened.

At the other end Ashley Hay had a good chance, and again it was the goalie who held sway. We had played just over half an hour and Hitchin were good value for their lead, and could not be accused of robbing the Robins. Then Bell fouled on the edge of the area and a set piece was forthcoming. Fenton shot well and Horlock pushed it out for a corner. There followed some desperate stuff in the penalty box and it is fair to say that for a few minutes Hitchin were under severe pressure.

The equaliser seemed inevitable and was squeezed in through the crowded box after thirty-four minutes by Montel Gibson. The home pressure continue, instigating some wild clearances from Hitchin who needed some settled play in possession to recover their composure. This was not permitted and really needed to be seized to ensure parity at half-time.

There was a corner from Gleeson, Hay headed against Bradley. Then Hitchin won a free-kick just outside the area, this struck the defensive wall, but bounced awkwardly, but the Robins' defence prevailed.

All square at the interval 1-1, a good open half, two credit worthy goals and some decent moves. But most of the possession had been with the hosts.

Hitchin began the second half with the injured Finley Wilkinson being replaced by Diogo Freitas-Gouveia. The Robins instigated an immediate attack, with Stan Georgiou and Lewis Barker making important interventions.

Ilkeston were playing fluid attacking football and not allowing Hitchin an inch. Campbell, with his neat pass put it on a plate for O'Grady who missed his cue. Black replaced Dasilva and we waited for Hitchin to neutralise the pressure. Errant passing was not helping. Wing back Wilson won a free kick and this needed stern defending, which it got, after a fashion.

Bell managed a shot on the half volley, easily saved, but more of that was needed. Georgiou denied another chance. Another set piece for the robins saw Horlock tip the chance over the bar for a corner, taken by Jack Thomas.It was a fine in swinger that hit the bar and then there was yet another corner.

Horlock came off his line and fairly got away with one, as Hitchin got the free-kick. But they were still living dangerously with a full quarter of an hour to go plus stoppage time.

Then the hosts had a goal disallowed, with the referee clearly indicating that an elbow had been employed. Clearly, Hitchin's s attempt at forward play was entirely haphazard at this point and offered little respite to the hard working defence.

Ilkeston Town 3-1 Hitchin Town: Report by Pipeman at New Manor Ground. Photographs by Peter Else

A cross from Diogo Freitas-Gouveia sailed past every Hitchin head in a rare chance and then the Robins won a corner with Wilson swinging in in again. It was defended, and then Horlock punched away another cross. Five minutes if normal time and stoppage time to snaffle a cheeky point.

Gleeson appeared to head off the line and then the referee went to consult the linesman and a goal was given. It was a shame that it came from a controversial incident, but that is what the officials are for. From where I was sitting out did look as if it had crossed the line.

So, all that heroic defending was in vain. Then there was a late free kick for Hitchin centrally just outside the area. It was on target but just over the bar and looked like the last chance. There were four minutes if stoppage time.

Then a swift attack along the right saw excellent control and a cross from Wilson to Campbell who made it 3-1 In this diminishing stoppage time.

Home fans were chanting 'one-nil and you blanked it up', but this takes a little away from the hosts emphatic response to going a goal down. Hitchin gad defended but to be honest they did not deserve to draw, even though I wish that they had.

We focus now on next Saturday and need to remember that it is a two pm kick off. Our opponents are Alvechurch who are no doubt cock-a-hoop after their magnificent win away in the FA Cup, against Cheltenham, 2-1.

ILKESTON TOWN

Oliver Battersby, Joseph Wilson, Reece Hutchinson, Jack Thomas, Daniel Bradley, Kieran Fenton, captain, GOAL, 85 minutes , Remaye Campbell, GOAL, 90+2, Lamine Sherif, cautioned, Montel Gibson, GOAL, 34 minutes, Christopher O'Grady, Reece Fife, (Alex Troke).

Substitutes not used- Saul Deeney, Temitope Obadeyi, Thomas Hilton and Declan Eratt-Thompson.

HITCHIN TOWN

Charlie Horlock, captain, Stanley Georgiou, Bradley Bell, Stephen Gleeson, Lewis Barker, Ciaren Jones , cautioned, Finley Wilkinson, (Diogo Freitas-Gouveia), Rio Dasilva, cautioned, (Malaki Black), Ashley Hay, Stephen Cawley, GOAL, 14 MINUTES, Jack Snelus.

Substitutes not used- Kye Tearle, Toby Syme, Delsin Ackom.

Referee- Mr L Hible assisted by Mr E Pidduck and Mr J Stevens.

Attendance- 607

REPORT BY PIPEMAN