Unchanged from the draw with Stocksbridge Park Steels seven days prior, boss Russ Wilcox looked for a positive reaction from his charges, as Sisa Tuntulwana & Lewis Butroid started either side of Frank Mulhern, just behind top scorer, Jonny Margetts. Youngster Charlie Parks again starting alongside Harrison Beeden at the back.

Bobby Johnson was immense in the midfield engine room. Bright in possession, strong in the tackle. He provided the shield for the defence that would go on to record a second clean sheet in three games - and be involved in some of the brighter moves going forward.

And it was Johnson's vision on six minutes, when his perfectly weighted freekick picked out Sisa Tuntulwana's darting run from right to left. Unfortunately, Sisa couldn't bring the ball under his spell to find an early breakthrough.

The Blues moved the ball well for a period, before Tuntulwana looked to slide the ball across the box for the waiting Jonny Margetts, but Alfie Roberts go there first to cut the ball out. A temporary slip was not enough for Jonny to capitalise on though. Johnson invited Ashley Jackson forward down the left. His raking cross field pass, opening up the game.

Trinity were looking bright. Superb footwork from Jordan Helliwell & Tuntulwana, in quick succession threatened to unlock the Ilson defence, before Mulhern and Margetts had efforts that didnt trouble Roberts. Aaron Simpson, involved down the right, whipped in a cross that was half a yard too high for Margetts, before Johnson strode purposefully through the midfield. Sending a twenty yard drive a yard wide of Roberts' right hand upright.

On the half hour, Sam Bird & Jamie Walker combined down the Ilson left. And David Robson had to watch carefully as the ball faded past the far post. Another dangerous ball across the box saw Robbie Fox back on his heels.

At times, both sets of players were finding the heavy surface difficult. Both Lewis Butroid & Alfie Roberts slipping within seconds of each other, as Trinity pushed for the breakthrough. Three minutes from the break, Trinity produced the move of the match. Mulhern freed Simpson down the right. And his whipped in ball, found the unmarked Margetts, Jonny meeting the ball flush - only to see his header straight at Roberts. The ilson 'keeper couldn't believe his luck as the rebound fell for Margetts, but the front man couldn't divert the ball on target. And the sides went in at the break, at stalemate.

Half Time: Gainsborough Trinity 0 Ilkeston Town 0

Chances were again few and far between in the second half, as there were fewer clear cut openings. Ashley Jackson flashing a centre across the face of goal. Harrison Beeden unable to generate the power on the ball to trouble Roberts, after Mulhern's cross had the pace taken out of it. On the hour mark, Lewis Butroid's corner almost found Charlie Parks' forehead. His glancing header just needing a little more purchase to send it arrowing past the Ilkeston number one. Fine margins.

Ilkeston turned to the long throw as they looked for the first blood, but Beeden & Parks stood firm at the heart of the defence, with Johnson just in front. Dylan Youmbi was shown inside, Simpson tracked him all the way, but won his side a freekick as Aaron picked up a booking. The wall standing firm as Jordan Stevens looked to test Robson.

And Wilcox opted to role the dice, with just over twenty-five minutes to play. Making the treble change, Butroid, Margetts & Tuntulwana were replaced by Fraser Preston, Theo Williams & Javelle Clarke. Shortly after his introduction, Clarke had the chance to make an instant impact, but well placed, his effort lacked the power to trouble the visiting custodian.

Moments later, Trinity went closer. Fraser Preston striking the right hand upright after cutting back onto his left and bending a dangerous ball into the box. Crying out for a finishing touch - one didn't come. Travelling all the way through a crowded box, before thudding off the frame of the goal.

Charlie Parks had to be alert to the danger fifteen minutes from time, when Youmbi again threatened for the Robins, but as the winger steadied himself to shoot, the Lincoln City youngster, timed his challenge to perfection.

Mulhern released Williams down the right. The substitute looking to provide the ammunition. Roberts couldn't hold, and as Mulhern again looked to keep the pressure on the visitors, he was adjudged to have fouled his man. Parks was continuing to have a brilliant battle with Ilson substitute Harvey Kirby-Moore. A fantastic tustle was developing, but it was Parks who went into the book for a strong challenges, moments after a similar challenge on Helliwell went unpunished.

As the time ticked into four minutes of added time, Trinity had the chance to load the box, but a late freekick was sent straight through into the hands of Roberts, before Colin Daniel hooked an effort well wide of Robson's goal & Mulhern got in behind the full back, but seemed to choose the square pass, looking for Theo Williams, as opposed to pulling the trigger himself. And as time was fast escaping the Blues, Seth Okyere went into the Referee's notebook for a lunge on Jackson as Trinity urgently looked for the decisive break through - that just wasn't to be.

And both sides had to settle for a point. A point that does little for either sides' current situation. Though a point that could be crucial come the end of the season. Speaking after the game, Wilcox was "Frustrated at two points dropped this afternoon. And four in the last two games," against Stocksbridge and Ilkeston.

Two clean sheets and four points against today's visitors, not a bad return - but on today's performance, the Blues found to be wanting more.

The Teams

Gainsborough Trinity: David Robson, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, Bobby Johnson, Charlie Parks, Harrison Beeden, Lewis Butroid (Fraser Preston 65) Jordan Helliwell, Jonny Margetts (Theo Williams 65) Frank Mulhern, Sisa Tuntulwana (Javelle Clarke 65)
Subs not used: Jacob McLoughlin & George Hornshaw

Ilkeston Town: Alfie Roberts, Seth Okyere, Sam Bird, Matty Thornhill (Connor Dixon 87) Callum Minkley, Tyler Whyte, Jordan Stevens (Jackson Blaize 69) Dylan Youmbi (L’Varn Brandy 79) Robbie Fox (Sam Essien 65), Colin Daniel, Jamie Walker (Harvey Kirby-Moore 65)

Referee: Waqar Ahmed
Assistants: Phillip Morton & Elliot Hunt

Sponsors Man of the Match: Bobby Johnson

Match report written by Rob Hughes (@AATM_Media)
Images by Sean Cook (@FoxbyMedia)