ILKESTON Town manager Kevin Wilson says he has been "disappointed" with his forwards this season.

The Robins boss is trying to bolster his strikeforce but has been frustrated in his efforts.

"I do feel I need to improve the forward line," said Wilson.

"If I am brutally honest, I've been disappointed with our forwards this season.

"They haven't been clinical enough in taking their chances, which is why we are hanging around mid-table.

"We have created enough chances to win a lot more games than we have but just haven't been able to finish teams off.

"I am trying to bring people in but it has been a very frustrating week.

"I have been going in for players but we haven't been in the market for them. They have either wanted too much money or other clubs have come in and taken them."

Ilkeston have one of the meanest defences in the Blue Square North, conceding 36 in 29 league games, but have scored only 39.

Their top scorer is Amari Morgan-Smith, with 12 league goals, seven from the penalty spot.

Wilson, a former striker himself, added: "It is down to confidence, composure, anticipation – as a striker, all these things come to mind.

"When you watch people who score a lot of goals, they are always on the move and waiting to pounce on mistakes.

"I just feel we haven't worked opposition goalkeepers enough this season, from good positions."

The loss of front man David Graham with a double leg break at the end of October did not help. That came in a 4-1 win at Blyth Spartans, who visit the New Manor Ground tomorrow.

"David Graham was a big loss for us," said Wilson. "He has immense experience and was just coming into form.

"He was forming a good partnership with Amari Morgan-Smith but then we lost him against Blyth Spartans.

"It was a great result and a great team performance at Blyth. The game should have been remembered for that and Amari's three goals. Unfortunately, we are talking about a tackle that prematurely ended a player's season."

Ilkeston captain Paul Dempsey will be missing tomorrow as he starts a two-match ban.

The funeral of former Ilkeston manager Keith Alexander will take place at Lincoln Cathedral on Monday, at 2pm.

Alexander, who died at the age of 53 last week, will also be honoured at Macclesfield Town's League Two game against Bury at Moss Rose tomorrow, when representatives from the six clubs he managed – including Ilkeston – will lay wreaths before a minute's applause in his memory.