Lancaster City hoped to stretch their unbeaten run to nine games in all competitions. The first chance of the game fell the way of Charlie Bailey. Bailey broke forward and darted through the centre of Ilkeston’s defence but the defence scrambled quickly to win the ball before a shot was taken.

Lancaster City may look back and rue that missed chance as on 15 minutes, Jamie Walker netted the opening goal of the game. The robin’s attacker received the ball in space inside the penalty area and his shot is low and hard Into the bottom corner.

Lancaster City attempted to level the score through Brad Carroll. A brilliant cross from Kyle Brownhill found its way to its intended target, Brad Carroll. The resulting header however could only be headed straight into the hands of Matt Yates in the Ilkeston goal.

With just over twenty minutes played in the first half, the visiting side were reduced to ten men. Tyrell Waite received a straight red card, and the Dolly Blues had a man advantage.
With the man advantage, Lancaster City pressured the robin’s defence. Jake Connelly was quick to pounce on a misplaced pass from the Ilkeston defence and the attacker managed to round Matt Yates. The score remained in favour of the visitors as Connelly could only strike the side netting from a tight angle.

Ilkeston Town doubled their advantage only moments after. Jamie Walker picked the ball up from 18 yards and his thunderous strike hit the bottom corner to double his and his side’s tally.
Lancaster City headed into the break trailing by a two goal deficit.

The visitors started strongly in the second half as Zak Goodson went on a mazy run but his shot could only be fired high and wide over Andre Mendes and his goal.

The second half followed a pattern of the visitors defending admirably and nullifying all Dolly Blue attacks. However, on 63 minutes they were awarded a penalty. Connor Dixon was brought down after cutting inside from the left. Only one man could step up and Jamie Walker converted his penalty to seal his hat-trick.

Only ten minutes later, second half substitute L’varn Brandy made an instant impact. The substitute was played through by Jamie Walker to set him up with only Andre Mendes to beat. Brandy took his time and slotted his shot past Mendes to add a fourth goal.

Despite being down and out, Lancaster City still looked to get on the scoresheet. Brad Carroll attempted to score but his effort was cleared off the line after he found space in the box from close range.

The game soon came to an end despite an added ten minutes where a bullet header from Simon Grand was inches wide of the far post following a corner. Lancaster City suffer their first defeat since an away trip to Radcliffe.
Up next for the Dolly Blues is an away trip to Workington on Tuesday night.