Barwell 1 Ilkeston 1

Report by Merv Nash

Barwell gave their best performance of the season so far to share the points against 5th placed Ilkeston, indeed only a goal five minutes from time by the visitors robbed Barwell of their first win in seven league games. If they show the same resolve and battling qualities the long awaited victory will surely come to Jimmy Ginnelly's men.

This was the same old story Barwell the better side in the first period and Ilkeston in control after the break although an injury to Connor Gudger early in the second half had a large bearing on the match.

The "Canaries" were up for it from the first whistle, after a well worked move Luke Barlone shot over the bar. Jack Edwards also missed the target when Guy Hadland found him with a header.

Ilkeston replied with James Reid sending a vicious volley wide after a Gary Ricketts cross had set him up.

Barwell's Gudger went on a breath-taking run evading three defenders before firing in a low cross that just eluded Barlone at the far post.

In the 35th minute Barwell deservedly took the lead, a Scott Lower delivery into the middle caused panic in the Ilkeston penalty area and Barlone blasted an 18 yard drive through a crowd of players giving Ilkeston keeper Lloyd Atkinson no chance as it flew into the net.

The second half saw the Barwell team working their socks off to keep Ilkeston from levelling, in mid-field Nigel Julien making his first start of the season, Kieron Brehon and Edwards were especially conspicuous stemming the flow of Ilkeston attacks.

Barwell keeper James Wren made a brilliant one-handed save to keep out a close range effort from Jason Stokes.

With five minutes left Barwell succumbed to all the pressure, Jack Dean found room to cross from the right and the unmarked ace goal-getter Ricketts headed home past Wren.

A minute from time Ilkeston substitute Lejaun Simmonds almost snatched the winner, his beautifully struck drive missing the post by inches.

Team: James Hogarth-Wren, Scott Lower, Danny Spencer, Guy Hadland, Jamie Hood, Jack Edwards, Kieron Brehon, Nigel Julien, Luke Barlone, Anthony Griffith- Junior, Connor Gudger (Tom Weale 56)

Subs not used: Scott Hadland, Eliot Putman, Dave Barnett, Liam Castle.

Goal: Barlone 35 (assist Lower)

Yellow Cards, Edwards 73, Julien 75

Attendance: 168