Ilkeston Town

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Fleetwood 1-0 Ilkeston

Fleetwood Town maintained their unbeaten home league form with a workmanlike 1-0 win over mid-table Ilkeston Town.

Micky Mellon's men now share top spot, bar goal difference, with Southport whose game at Gloucester City was postponed.

Mellon had called for consistency from his side following their FA Trophy exit at the hands of Dover Athletic in midweek and he won't be disappointed with this narrow Highbury victory. This type of gritty one-nil win, with the all important clean sheet, forms the basis of any successful campaign at the end of a long, hard campaign and this one will prove no different.

Ilkeston came to Highbury intent on defending the best defensive record in the league with just 17 goals conceded and their tall, imposing backline held out in the first period. That was despite Steve McNulty going close with an early header and Jamie Mullan being unlucky to see his 11th minute shot deflected out for a corner.

McNulty remained paired in the centre of the Town defence alongside Michael Taylor, so there was no room in the squad for centre half Gavin Cowan who signed late last week from AFC Telford. Returns from substitute duty on Tuesday were handed to skipper Jamie Milligan and Jamie Mullan, whilst Tom Cahill replaced Nick Rogan in attack with Adam Warlow.

The game was switched from frost-bound Derbyshire as both clubs, and the Football Conference, were keen to see football go ahead with 7 other Blue Square North games hit by the weather on Saturday. Ilkeston were particularly keen to play not having had a league match since 5th December and a home game since 27th October.

The visitors showed no sign of being out of touch as they tested Danny Hurst's goal twice inside the first minute or so. A cross from the right forced Taylor to hook onto the roof of the Town net and Nathan Pond was tidy in disposing the follow-up corner. A Matt Godden cross, after good build up from Gary Ricketts, was then taken by Hurst.

Cahill responded but his header lacked enough power to trouble Dan Lowson in the Ilkeston goal. The best effort so far was McNulty's header. Lowson dropped Shaun Beeley's high kick and Sean Clancy's shot was blocked by Tom Bonner. The corner was delivered by Milligan but the header went straight at the keeper. Mullan then crafted himself a chance with some neat footwork but his left footer from outside box sailed over.

Town had stepped up the pace by the quarter hour mark after dealing with the early problems from the visiting front line. Ilkeston, though, continued to push forward. Rory Coleman, on loan from Scunthorpe United, sent a low drive but without any real threat to the Fleetwood goal. That was in stark contrast to his last visit to Highbury in November when he helped Harrogate Town to a share of the points. He marked his second half substitute appearance on that day with two goals, including a splendid free-kick from 35 yards. Sam Duncum needed the intervention of McNulty before Coleman bent a left-footed effort at Hurst.

Ilkeston kept a close eye on Warlow and coped comfortably with the remaining Town attacks, including a good half-chance from Pond, although they couldn't create too much themselves. A stunning ball off the right foot of Milligan ended the half but found Clancy in an off side position.

The deadlock remained until 56 minutes and some superb supporting play by Clancy. The midfielder edged his way past the byline and into the box, evaded two defenders, to supply Tom Cahill. The striker took his fourth of the season from the six yard line, leaving Lowson with little chance.

Pond was soon called into defensive action when Ilkeston provided a reminder of their attacking threat, a good build up wasted with Paul Dempsey's finish.

Warlow continued his efforts to increase his tally, but Cahill went closest just after the hour. The forward moved into space but his right-foot shot lacked conviction. What would have been a special goal from Mullan was tipped over by Howson on 63 minutes. The wide-right man danced past several challenges only for the keeper to deny his shot from the edge of the area.

Town weren't able to relax with only a single goal advantage but maintained their lead. The visitors did rally towards the end but their enforced lay-off due to the big freeze finally told on tired legs.

Ricketts and substitute Josh Burge looked likeliest to impact the game for Ilkeston in the closing period.

Fleetwood Town now prepare for the visit of Farsley Celtic on Tuesday evening and will be looking for a repeat of the return fixture when Town took home three points in earlier September in what was Gareth Seddon's first game, and first goal, for the club.

Fleetwood Town 1-0 Ilkeston Town

Blue Square North

Saturday 16th January 2010

Att: 1009

By Derick Thomas

Click here for the official Fleetwood Town FC website.