A spirited second half comeback helped St Ives Town claim a share of the spoils from a highly entertaining game in front of a bumper crowd at Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.
Visitors Ilkeston Town had bolstered their squad ahead of the Southern League Premier Division Central clash with the Ives on January 21, signing two players from higher league clubs and ex-Reading striker Leroy Lita.
Lita, 38, showed he still has the skill as he cleverly drifted out to the left-hand side to set up the opening goal on 17 minutes.
He found space behind Ives’ Paddy Casey before driving a low cross across the six-yard line to pick out an unmarked Remayne Campbell.
Ilkeston, who are chasing the play-off places, were on top for most of the first half and added a second goal five minutes before the break.
Lita controlled a long ball and surged into the Ives’ penalty area where he went down under a combined challenge from Casey and Jordan Williams.
Campbell coolly sent goalkeeper James Dadge the wrong way to double his and Ilkeston’s tally.
Ives desperately needed an early goal in the second half to lift their spirits and they got just that as they earned reward for an impressive display from the restart.
As Williams flicked on a long ball, Jonny Edwards fed in Kieran Higgs who pulled back for Myles Cowling on the edge of the penalty area who struck home.
Ives were gathering momentum and were level thanks to a well-taken goal from Edwards on 69 minutes.
Kellan Hickinson delivered a cross from the right that Ilkeston’s Finn Delap looked favourite to win, but Edwards ghosted in to prod home past ‘keeper Rhys Davies.
Both sides were spurred on by a boisterous crowd with 20 minutes to go, Dempsey Arlott-John going closest for the visitors that included ex-Peterborough United attacking midfielder Lee Tomlin.
Williams twice went close for the hosts in the closing stages.
St Ives entertain Alvechurch on January 24, 7.45pm before visiting promotion chasers Leiston on January 28, 3pm.
St Ives Town: Dadge, Casey, Herd, Richens (C), Williams, Toseland, Higgs (sub Kaziboni, 88’), Cowling, Edwards, Hickinson, Baker (sub Andoh, 63’).
Cautions: St Ives – Cowling.
St Ives supporters’ man of the match: Myles Cowling.
Attendance: 391.
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