Ilkeston Town: O'Loughlin is head boy

FLYING wingers turned on the first half style for Ilkeston Town but ultimately it was defensive toil which brought home these valuable three points in the Blue Square North.

While Sam Duncum and Rory Prendergast often had Harrogate in trouble, only one goal came from that dominance.

That was provided by centre-back Charlie O'Loughlin, who headed home in the 34th minute when he ran into a busy goal area to reach Prendergast's cross after Dan Holmes noticed the winger was unmarked at a corner.

That was O'Loughlin's first league goal for Ilkeston but his second might have arrived five minutes later.

Duncum's cross was moved on by Gary Ricketts and the defender's header hit a post before keeper Arron Ratchford knocked it away.

Ratchford also did well to keep out a header from Duncum, who was picked out by striker Amari Morgan-Smith after a run down the left.

It was unusual to see Duncum getting in headers but his usual contribution was there for all to see before the break.

He often left two men struggling to keep up after switching to the right to accommodate Prendergast.

But Harrogate manager Simon Weaver, a key man in Ilkeston's promotion last season, roused his troops at half-time.

They had the better of the second half, although O'Loughlin was in no mood to let them spoil his day.

Aided by Luke Waterfall, he blocked up the middle, although keeper Dan Lowson had work to do.

As the game went into stoppage time, Lowson made a fine save to keep out a shot by substitute Jimmy Ghaichem.

The Robins' resolve cheered Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson, who had been critical of them following the FA Trophy draw with Mossley and the league defeat at Alfreton Town.

"I was moaning about the character and attitude of the players but, here, they battled it out and got the three points they deserved," said Wilson.

"I felt fairly comfortable in the first half, when we had some good chances and scored.

"But in the second half we had a few horror moments."

He is likely to be busy on the phone in a few days, with midfielder Jake Beecroft ending a three-month loan from Rushden & Diamonds.

Arron Mitchell, the teenaged Nottingham Forest defender, also completes a one-month stay at Ilkeston, who entertain Pinxton in the Derbyshire Senior Cup, tomorrow (7.45pm).

HARROGATE TOWN: Ratchford, Maloney, Chapman, Wood, Bloomer, James, Harrison, McTiernan (Ivanov 87), Nowakowski (Dutton 64), Broadbent (Ghaichem 46), Leabon. Others subs: Hernandez, Dunning.

ILKESTON TOWN: Lowson, Mitchell, Bonner, Holmes, O'Loughlin, Waterfall, Duncum (Beecroft 87), Dempsey, Ricketts, Morgan-Smith, Prendergast. Other subs: Green, Hooks, Palmer, Coombes.

REFEREE: J Buglass (Newcastle-on-Tyne).

ATTENDANCE: 328.