And it only took a couple of minutes for City's skipper to get back into the thick of the action, first receving several minutes treatment following a clash with Nwadike and then blocking a Lyons effort that looked destined for Hervin's goal. And the home side continued to apply the pressure, Holmes finding the side netting and Whitehead forcing a fine stop from Hervin before 15 minutes had pass. City weathered this early storm and from their first major foray into Ilkeston's half they took the lead. Paul Milsom won a corner which Jason Drysdale lifted into the box. The ball was cleared back to City's left back and this time his cross picked out an unmarked Gary Thorne whose header gave Love no chance in the Town goal. This lead was only to last two minutes as the Robins were awarded a penalty. A through ball eluded Kirkwood but with Zabek in close attention he fell to the ground and the referee pointed to the spot. Knapper made no mistake from the spot and suddenly City were on the back foot again. One desperate clearance by Drysdale prevented them falling behind on 24 minutes but five minutes later Nwadike headed a Whitehead corner goalwards and, despite Thomas' effort to clear, the ball was adjudged to have crossed the line. Once again though City showed they lack little in the way of battling spirit, conjuring another goal out of nothing five minutes later. Again the creator was Drysdale as his left foot cross was glanced home by the head of Bradley Thomas. Having played an indirect part in both of Ilkeston's goals the referee took a more active involvement in them regaining the lead after 36 minutes. As Andy Williams attempted to clear he was impeded by the official allowing Hemmings to collect the loose ball and his cross was turned past Hervin by the unfortunate Towler. Before the break Ilkeston almost grabbed a fourth when Hervin spilled a Knapper shot but Kirkwood was in an offside position as he turned home the rebound.

Having seen five goals in just 16 first half minutes the 577 crowd only had to wait for four more minutes after the interval to witness another. Drysdale completed his hat-trick of assists as his pass found Milsom on the edge of the hosts six yard box. The big striker still had a lot to do but with his first touch he lifted the ball over his marker and the second saw it hit the roof of the net before Love could react. Six minutes later Milsom had agreat opportunity to give his side the lead. A neat dummy by Hunt allowed him a sight of Love's goal but his effort was deflected to safety by Whitehead's last ditch challenge. The balance of the game had again switched and City were now looking the more likely to continue the goalscoring festivities. James Zabek and Gary Powell both saw shots well held by Love before top scorer Adrain Foster nealry marked his arrival as a 72nd minute substitute with a goal. Zabek began the move that ended with Foster slicing his effort wide from 15 yards out. City did have one escape after 80 minutes when the home side had a goal ruled out for a foul on Hervin and as the game reached its final moments it seemed both sides were content with a point. However, a late challenge on Kemp in the first minute of stoppage time started a brawl that culminated with a bemused Milsom receiving a red card, which did put a slight stain on an otherwise excellent afternoon's work for City.