Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson urges his side to get back on another winning run

KEVIN Wilson has challenged his Ilkeston players to start another unbeaten run after their "rude awakening" last weekend.

The Robins saw their eight-match unbeaten league run, which featured six wins, ended in a 2-0 home defeat by Stafford Rangers.

Wilson's men will be aiming to get back on track when they travel to third-from-bottom Stocksbridge Park Steels tomorrow.

"We deserved to lose to Stafford because we didn't play well, as individuals or collectively," said the manager.

"The weather didn't help us because it was like we had to start afresh after the enforced break.

"We're disappointed but we've got to get back on it.

"We've been on a great run but we've got to start again now.

"We've got to make certain that we're ready for this weekend – and I'm sure we will be.

"Last Saturday was a bit of a rude awakening for everyone.

"There won't be dramatic changes – the lads have done fantastically well up to this point.

"They are all champing at the bit to get back out there.

"It wasn't good enough last weekend – and we need a good performance and a result."

Ilkeston beat Steels 1-0 at the New Manor Ground in October.

Wilson bolstered his squad with three signings last week.

Leicester City defender Jide Maduako has returned for a second loan spell at the club, while left-back Jake Wholey has joined on loan from Notts County.

Forward Kieran O'Connell has been recruited from Mickleover Sports.

Maduako and Wholey started at the back against Stafford, while O'Connell came on as a half-time substitute.

"We know all about Jide from his time with us before," said Wilson.

"Jake is another young player who is developing and we're lucky to have him.

"Kieran gives us something different from what we've got at the moment.

"That is why we have added him to the squad.

"I'm sure that, over time, he and the team will benefit from having him here.

"We have been going with two big strikers – Gary Ricketts and Aaron Hooton – but we feel we might need a bit of a change at times."

Ilkeston will face Blue Square Bet Premier side Alfreton Town in the semi-final of the Derbyshire Senior Cup.

The Reds booked their place in the last four in midweek with a 6-0 win at Mickleover Royals.

A date for the semi-final has yet to be confirmed, with Alfreton having midweek league matches for the next five weeks.

The first available date looks like being Monday, March 18.