Ilkeston, who won promotion to the Premier Division at the expence of Blues in the play-off final in May, inflicted six of the best on Leek as both clubs used the game to field different sides in each half.

Commenting after the game Blues' boss Lee Casswell said, "The result was disappointing but what it did do was highlight where we need to improve so I wll be bringing in one or two players in certain positions before the home game against Crewe on Friday.

"I'm not over worried about the result as this was a game where we are looking to build the squad giving everybody much needed match time.

"After just one game we know where we need to improve but anyone who comes in must be better than what we already have.

"We will train on Tuesday and Thursday this week ahead of the Crewe game and hopefully we'll put in a better performance against good opposition," he added.

Blues coped well in the opening 15 minutes with Rob Stevenson threatening down the right but the visitors opened the scoring on 17 minutes through Jack Watts following a corner.

Ilkeston continued to push forward and increased their lead in the 25th minute when Alex Ford finished off a flowing move.

Leek created little in the way of chances and it came as no surprise when the Robbins increased their lead in the 39th minute although there was more of a hint of off side as Daryl Thomas raced clear to net the third.

After the break the visitors continued to push forward and Ricky Bridge had to be at his best with a timely challenge to deny Brad Gascoine who went through on-on-one with the keeper.

However, Ilkeston netted a fourth in the 61st minute when a cross into the crowded six-yard box fell to Russell Peel who swept the ball home from close range.

Five minutes later Andrew Oseisiriban escaped the offside flag to grab Ilkeston's 5th goal before Blues mounted something of a fight-back.

Good work by Shaun Mallan down the left saw him cut inside before unleashing a shot on target that led to Blues winning a penalty after Dan Partidge appeared to control the ball with his upper arm.

Tim Sanders claimed the ball but his shot was weak and goalkeeper Ben Gathercole blocked the ball. However, it fell back to Sanders but again Gathercole was equal to the follow-up shot before the ball was eventually cleared.

In the 81st minute Tim Grice out-muscled the Robbins' defence but then shot straight at the keeper before Russell Peel missed a sitter at the other end.

Two minutes from time Blues should have netted a consolation goal but Gathercole pulled off a stunning triple save to deny Bridge and Adam Roberts twice.

However, Ilkeston were not finished and Gary Ricketts completed the scoring with a diving header on the stroke of full time.

Leek - first half: Dan Lloyd-Weston, Dan Smith, Matthew Bell, Sam Hall, Mark Ruddock, Karl Charlton, Rob Stevenson, Anthony Danylyk, Matt Haddrell, Dan Cope, Tom Urwin

Leek - second half: Dan Lloyd-Weston, Tim Sanders, Matt Bradbury, Ricky Bridge, Ross Davidson, Chris Millar, Adam Roberts, Shaun Mallon, Matt Haddrell (Cope 72), Tim Grice, Ashley Woolliscroft

Report: Mike Cope