A TWO-GOAL lead was squandered by Ilkeston Town, who fell to their heaviest defeat of the season as Vauxhall Motors leapt from the foot of the Blue Square North last night.

Visiting fans were left stunned as their side appeared to have finally cured their shyness in front of goal, with Matt Godden opening his account after arriving on loan from Scunthorpe United.

Captain Paul Dempsey quickly took a free kick, leaving the hosts slumbering. Godden was wide awake and the lead was established in the 17th minute.

It seemed to have been cemented when Ilkeston piled on the pressure and scored again two minutes later. Dempsey kept his head in a crowded penalty area and jabbed the ball home.

That was as good as it got for Ilkeston, who had boasted the best defensive record in the division.

Vauxhall simply stormed the fortress and were right back in the game after 24 minutes.

Striker Lee Furlong had already proved to be a problem and he burst through to force keeper Dan Lowson into a diving save. The ball ran loose and Furlong lashed it home.

Ilkeston answered fire with fire and midfield man Dan Holmes demanded a fine save from home keeper Dan Coates.

But Vauxhall who snatched an equaliser with Josh Wilson converting Lee Dodgson's 30th minute cross.

In th 44th minute, Vauxhall went in front for the first time and they deserved the lead.

Again it was the dangerous Furlong, who beat Lowson with a powerful shot.

The Robins responded through the experienced Gary Ricketts just before the break, keeper Coates making an important save moments before half-time.

Ilkeston went hell for leather and Vauxhall were down to 10 men when Furlong was sent off after 64 minutes. An illegal challenge saw injured left back Alex White having to be substituted soon after.

Defenders Charlie O'Loughlin and Luke Waterfall got forward for free kicks and corners as Ilkeston desperately sought the goal they needed and Godden nearly managed it after 81 minutes but his header was a little too high.

Godden was prominent in the 83rd minute but Coates saved brilliantly before seeing a long range O'Loughlin effort go over the bar.

At this stage, Vauxhall were restricted to breakaway attacks but they made the most of one of these after 88 minutes. Striker Karl Noon belted the ball home, leaving Ilkeston nursing their first four-goal defeat of the campaign.

VAUXHALL MOTORS: Coates, Lane, Moogan, Evans, Hannigan, Smith, Dodgson, Furlong, Noon, Wilson (Egerton 77), Grice. Other subs: Owens, Wright, Richards, Mustafa (gk).

ILKESTON TOWN: Lowson, Bonner, White (Burge 71), Holmes, O'Loughlin, Waterfall, Coleman, Dempsey, Ricketts (Watts 79), Morgan-Smith, Godden. Other subs: Murphy, Green, Coombes (gk).

REFEREE: P Graham (Manchester).

ATTENDANCE: 84.