Despite a positive display, we fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat against Warrington Rylands in the Northern Premier League Premier Division at the Microlise New Manor Ground.
A cagey opening period saw the sides go in level, but Harrison Wood’s goal just before the hour mark proved to be the difference.
The first opening of the contest fell to Rylands through Jawad Jebrin after two minutes, who latched onto a pass from Joe Riley before firing an effort at Sam Wilson, which was well saved.
Ilkeston looked to fire back through Ash Hunter as he put a teasing ball into the box following a superb Cohen Lee pass, but no shirt in red and white could connect.
The Blues broke away again nine minutes later; however, George Waring could not convert from close-range following a driving run from Jebrin.
The deadlock was very nearly broken by Warrington after 33 minutes, as Benjamin Hardcastle struck an effort against the upright after a well-worked opening on the right.
Calum Costello saw an opening come to pass for the visitors after 40 minutes as he latched onto a defensive mishap from the Robins, however he fired well over.
The opener was found by Rylands after 57 minutes through Wood, as he converted from close range following some excellent approach play from Costello.
The provider very nearly turned goalscorer just a few minutes later, as Costello took advantage of some poor defensive work from Pharrell Jognson, but could only hit his effort straight at Wilson.
Ilkeston kept the pressure on through Sam Newell, as a flurry of shots ended in the midfielder seeing an effort deflected behind for a corner.
Hardcastle let fly from distance for the visitors after 76 minutes, but his effort drifted narrowly over the bar.
The Robins applied heavy pressure throughout the latter stages of the second half but ultimately fell to defeat as the visitors held onto their slender lead.
We return to league action on Saturday 3rd of October as we face Lancaster City at the Giant Axe Stadium. (3pm KO)