Ilkeston 1 Market Drayton 0

Market Drayton's unbeaten start to the Evo Stik League division one south campaign was harshly ended by much-fancied Ilkeston.

Drayton looked set to pocket a deserved point last night, only for highly-rated striker Gary Ricketts to hammer home the winner with eight minutes to go in front of a crowd of 485.

It was tough on the Greenfields men who had struck the bar through Harry Clayton, while Luke Reynolds twice, Martyn Davies and Stuart Ellis all went close when the game was goalless.

"I'm really gutted because the lads acquitted themselves tremendously and to concede so late was a real kick in the teeth," said manager Neil Woolliscroft.

"They had chances, but so did we, and we really took the game to them at times.

"It bodes well for the future because I don't think we will come up against many better sides this season.

"They have got a great set-up with an academy and full time coaching staff.

"But we can take great heart from the fact that we pushed them all the way."

Rebound

Drayton's hopes were ended when goalkeeper Andy Pryce could only parry a shot from distance and Ricketts was on hand to hammer home the rebound from close range.

"We have gone into the lion's den twice now, at Coalville and Ilkeston, and stood up to the challenge really well," added Woolliscroft.