FA Cup, first qualifying round
Ilkeston Town 4-1 Matlock Town

Ilkeston are a totally different animal under new boss David Holdsworth from that of the Nigel Jemson and other recent eras-organised, disciplined, skilful and quick, and Matlock simply did not turn up.

The Robins wasted little time in going ahead, three minutes in fact as midfield playmaker Ben Pringle slipped a pass through the heart of the visiting defence.

Amari Morgan Smith was on to it in a flash and with Andy Richmond not seeing the danger until it was too late, the centre forward slipped the ball under Richmond for Anthony Howell to make sure from point blank range.

Matlock were rocking and they could have been further in the mire as Morgan-Smith lifted a great chance too high before a right wing corner fizzed across the Gladiators' danger area when just a touch might have brought a goal.

Richmond then atoned for his part in the opening goal with a superb flying save to his left to keep out a Morgan-Smith free kick and when Pringle burst through far too easily, he was there again to keep Matlock in contention.

Matlock badly needed a foothold in the game and they got it virtually out of nothing on 26 minutes as Simon Harrison drove goalwards and his shot took at least two deflections before bouncing over the line, the last touch being off Steve Warne.

The assistant had his flag raised for offside, but Belper referee Steve Cook overruled him after a brief conference and the Gladiators were fortunately level.

But the response from the Gladiators was typical of their afternoon's 'work'.

Within four minutes Ryan Davis was caught sleeping as Sam Dunkum, a Matlock target during the summer, was given a clear path to goal which he took gleefully, firing a low left footer across Richmond who surely deserved greater protection.

Then came Matlock's best spell as Warne drove wide from long range following a partially cleared corner and goalkeeper Chris Adamson got down well to save a Harrison free kick.

Dene Cropper produced Matlock's best opportunity, turning on a sixpence some thirty yards out to unleash a cracking effort which looked bound for the top corner until Adamson leapt like a salmon to turn the shot aside.

Adamson also stopped a Harrison free kick at the second attempt to give Matlock some hope for the second half.

The initial signs looked good with Matlock, prompted by the hard working Liam King, having plenty of possession but out of the blue in 55 minutes Howells shot into the sidenetting after a pacy Robins breakaway.

But two minutes later Stephen Istead stretched the hosts' lead.

Howells created the danger with a short incisive pass to Istead whose shot looked to be cleared, but the same assistant who had tried to rule out Matlock's goal signalled the ball having crossed the line.

Now Matlock had a mountain to climb.

A treble substitution saw Matlock play a little more football but rarely trouble Adamson and there was always the real threat of goals at the other end.

Morgan-Smith drove too high and substitute Jon Douglas missed a great chance before hammering the final nail in Matlock's coffin in stoppage time.

Douglas was allowed an easy close range header from a right wing cross to send Ilkeston through to the next round in convincing fashion.

In that late spell the tireless Ross Hannah twice drove narrowly wide, but too many players were not at the races.

The frustration from the visiting fans was understandable.

Defeat and putting up a fight is acceptable if not ideal.

Losing without a fight quite clearly is not.

Matlock Town: Richmond, Davis, Featherstone, Harrison (Thorpe 63), Laight, Foyle, Webster (Barraclough 63), Warne, Cropper (Benger 63), Hannah, King. Other subs: Caudwell, Foster.

Referee: S J Cook (Belper) Attendance: 495 Star Man: Liam King