Stamford  4  Ilkeston  2
After leading at half time Ilkeston were hit by a storming Stamford comeback. Ilkeston edged the first half and deservedly led by a stunning Cameron Dear goal. But the second half saw Ilkeston under constant pressure. It was fast and furious from the kickoff but opportunities were few with defences generally on top. Ilkeston nearly scored on 5 minutes when Daniels defender Sean Wright was perilously close to putting the ball into his own net, Stamford were near to opening the scoring on 30 minutes but were thwarted by Ross Durrant who pulled off two fine saves in quick succession.  Seven minutes later Ilkeston were ahead courtesy of Dear’s superb 25 yard blockbuster. Stamford retaliated immediately and Durrant was called upon again to preserve the lead. That was quickly followed by a Stamford header which hit the angle of post and crossbar. Stamford started the second half with a series of near misses but the pressure told on 57 minutes when their flying winger Cosmas Matwasa crossed for Tendai Chitiza to bundle in. Lavell White rescued Ilkeston with a goal line block as Ilkeston struggled to get out of their own half. Then totally against the run of play Ilkeston scored a fortunate second with Cameron Dear again the scorer on 75 minutes. Undeterred Stamford roared back and equalised on 78 minutes through Rob Morgan. Then came the goal of the game from Pearson Mwanyongo to put Stamford ahead with three minutes left. His unstoppable shot dipped perfectly into the top corner of the net from 30 yards. Ilkeston then threw caution to the wind in an effort to rescue a point but it backfired when Stamford broke to score a fourth by Oliver Brown-Hill.