In front of a huge attendance of 1,889, Warwick who had taken over 120 fans themselves, were beaten 3-2 in a battle for the top 4.

With the Warwick U9's and U14's playing in matches before kick-off in a real non-league family day out the game started and was seen as a battle for the top 4 places.

Alex Marshall opened the scoring in the 5th minute, before doubling the score on half time. Ben Morris made it three just before the hour mark. It appeared as if the Robin’s would keep the score line but RC Warwick substitute Sean Kavanagh pulled two back in the final minutes to make for a nervy finish for the hosts.

Warwick started very well and had two early chances with an Alex Price shot saved by Ian Deakin from a Trea Bertie ball, after 30 seconds. Wade Malley headed straight at Deakin before a good run on the left beating the full back but he fired into the side netting.

​The early missed chances would cost Warwick when the Robin’s top scorer Alex Marshall headed into an empty net, after Tom Cross’ punch, under pressure from Malachi Lavelle-Moore, fell straight to the forward.

Walker nearly doubled the lead when his corner curled towards goal, and caught out Cross in the Warwick goal but didn’t cross the line before Charlie Jemson headed over on the rebound. Jemson was almost left red faced up the other end, heading Price’s free kick towards his own goal, beating Deakin but unfortunately for the Racer's it was just over the bar.

With the break approaching Marshall doubled the lead firing low past Cross.

Ben Morris scored a controversial third when the midfielder smashed home, after Lavelle-Moore’s effort had been blocked following Chris Shaw’s low free kick. The free-kick should never have been as the 'foul' to award the kick was on a player coming back from a good five yards offside.

Ilkeston pushed for a fourth, and Alex Marshall was denied a hat trick by a strong save from Cross on the hour mark. The forward chested the ball down before firing a volley at goal, only for Cross to push it away.

With ten minutes left, Tom Marshall saw his well struck free kick turned around the post by Cross.

The introduction of Sean Kavanagh and Luke Church re-lit the touch paper for a tired looking Warwick and Kavanagh fired home after a good move down the left. He then fired in again to make it an anxious finish for the home fans but Ilkeston held out for probably the right result on the day.

Racing Club will lift themselves again for the Semi-final clash at Copsewood on Tuesday before hosting Alvis at Townsend Meadow on Thursday.

MATCH SHEET:

Attendance 1,889

MOM Rich Powell

Ilkeston Town - Racing Club Warwick FC: 3-2
Ilkeston Town:
Racing Club Warwick FC: Cross, Taylor, Billington (55' Hudson), Hutchcox, Smith (60' Church), Slevin, Powell, Price, Cole (71' Kavanagh), Bertie, Malley. Subs: Hudson, Church, Kavanagh, Powell, Davis . Coach: Scott Easterlow.
Goals: ITFC 6' Marshall, 45' Marshall, 57' Morris - RCWFC 88' Kavanagh, 90' Kavanagh.
Notes: Yellow cards: Powell, Price, Hutchcox.