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City were again left fustrated as their search for a maiden win stretched to seven games, Ilkeston Town becoming the third side to leave Twerton Park this season with a 1-1 draw. In truth, despite occasional glimpses that they are far from being a poor side, it was a disappointing performance that deserved nothing more than their fifth stalemate of this campaign. Fielding a side with one change from the midweek defeat at Newport, Bartlett making his first start in place of Gosling, City should have been two goals to the good within the first ten minutes. And it was the newcomer who wasted both chances. The first opening came after four minutes, beginning when Zabek won the ball on the edge of his own area. His pass forward found Wyatt, who made ground before knocking it into the path of Milsom. The big striker held off his marker and delivered a low cross that found the incoming Bartlett but, despite getting his shot on target, keeper Love managed to deflect it to safety. And it was the Milsom Bartlett combination that nealry opened up the visitors five minutes later. Another strong run by Milsom saw his cross pick out Bartlett, but this time he failed to even test Love, sending his header three yards wide. City should have built on this promising start but this turned out to be their final clear cut chance of the first period. Ilkeston, in turn, produced little more, although when Towler failed to clear a 16th minute corner, Knapper should have done better than firing over from just five yards out. The half time whistle arrived with little further action at either end and meant City still had not recorded a first half goal all season. The away side made an attacking change at the interval, striker Kirkwood replaceing McKenzie, and could have taken the lead within the opening minute, Robinson volleying Hemmings cross narrowly wide. City were now struggling to get any control in the midfield and were grateful for the fact that Ilkeston were little better. However, on 55 minutes two of City's more anonymous players up to that point combined to give them the lead. Thomas collected a quickly take Thorne free-kick and ran at the Town area. After beating a couple of players he laid the ball off to Zabek, who sidestepped his marker before firing a rising shot past Love into the top corner of the net. Once again this should have seen City exert some control on the game but too often they gave the ball away when their was little danger and with 12 minutes left they were made to pay for this generosity. Wright sent the ball over City's backline and Hemmings reached the ball ahead of Hervin. He lifted it over the stranded keeper and applied the finishing touch from no more than a couple of yards out. This put a more accurate reflection on the scoreline but twice in the closing minutes the Derbyshire side could have grabbed a winner. Both times it was Hervin who came to City's rescue, first parrying Holmes' close range header to safety and then blocking Hemmings' low drive after he had again breached the City defence. |
