But second half goals from James Hicks and a Harry Vince penalty maintained Stamford's second spot in the BetVictor Northern Premier League South East Division.

Stamford's starting line-up was unchanged from their win over Wisbech on New Year's Day for their visit to the New Manor Ground to face an Ilkeston side which included ex-Daniels striker Kieran Wells in their attack.

The Daniels created the better chances of the opening exchanges with Cosmos Matwasa twice going close inside the opening six minutes.

The visiting winger fizzed one shot wide of the far post before Robins goalkeeper Ross Durrant was down smartly to save from Tom Siddons' set up.

Wells drifted a cross-come shot wide of Stamford's far post before Ilkeston took a 15th minute lead.

Alex Marshall did well to create an opening where he was foiled by an excellent stop from Dan Haystead.

However, Stamford were unable to get rid of the rebound out of their danger zone and, as Harry Vince's attempted clearance was blocked by Marshall, Melanius Mullarkey was first to react to sweep the home side into the lead.

Stamford, like so many times this season, responded strongly to going behind with Durrant's fingertips denying Chitiza while Siddons squeezed the ball past the home custodian only for it to run out of play.

The equaliser did arrive after 25 minutes when Haystead's clearance was missed by both Mullarkey and Dean Freeman.

The ever-alert Chitiza raced onto the ball and, after cutting inside, saw his curling shot turned into the Ilkeston net by the Robins' Kieran Fenton.

A second Stamford goal then followed four minutes later as Ollie Brown-Hill corner was headed goalwards by Siddons with Morgan making sure from close range.

Durrant again did well with another fine save to thwart Chitiza before Matwasa dragged another decent opening wide when well-placed.

Ilkeston were then thrown a lifeline in first half stoppage time when Vince looked to have been bundled over in the box as Stamford defended a long throw.

He fell towards the ball and was adjudged by referee Luke Watson to have handled.

Jamie Walker stepped up to convert the resultant penalty despite Haystead going the right way and getting his hand on the ball.

Ilkeston made two changes at the break bringing on Kole Lambert and Daniel Racchi for Chris Robertson and Richard Wyman.

Stamford went close to adding a third straight after the restart when Matwasa's low shot was deflected onto the post before Ilkeston went straight on the attack and Lambert's well-struck effort was superbly palmed away by Haystead.

The Daniels did hit the front again though after just four minutes of the second half when Chitiza's persistence in the box saw the ball fall for James Hicks to hammer in a goalbound shot which went in off the unfortunate Fenton who was covering on the line.

Lambert again went close when well-placed only to fire wide before Vince saw a decent strike punched away by Durrant.

Stamford then produced one of the moves of the match to force a foul which led to the penalty for their fourth.

Vince and Chitiza's interchanging of passes cut open the Ilkeston defence with the latter clipping the ball past Durrant.

Freeman got back to clear off the line, but goalkeeper Durrant was adjudged to have fouled Chitiza with his follow through and Vince stepped up to score from the spot to seal Stamford's success.

However, Vince was then dismissed in the final minute after collecting a second caution for time-wasting after taking too long over a throw-in. He had earlier been booked in the first half for hand-ball.