Stourbridge 3, Ilkeston 1

STOURBRIDGE made heavy weather of beating relegation candidates Ilkeston but finally came good in the closing stages to seal maximum points and go level with second placed Nantwich Town.

But the Glassboys suffered a shock after struggling to break down Ilkeston's rearguard action when Anthony Dwyer put the Derbyshire side in front on the stroke of half time.

Ilkeston's defensive tactics continually frustrated Stourbridge throughout the first half.

But Ilkeston always posed a threat on the breakaway and came close to snatching the lead when Jaylon Bather deflected a cross from Tom Gamblen onto the Glassboys crossbar.

Stourbridge then fell behind in first half stoppage time when Dwyer headed home Gamblen's precise free kick.

Ilkeston were penned back inside their own territory throughout the second half but should have stolen a second goal when Dwyer suddenly found himself clean through on goal when chasing a Ryan Head clearence but somehow fired wide with only Glassboys goalkeeper Matt Gould to beat.

Stourbridge finally levelled when wideman Matt Dodd was brought down by Dante Leverock and Luke Benbow stepped up to convert the resulting penalty to register his 26th league goal of the term.

Stourbridge secured a second goal on 78 minutes when former Shrewsbury marksman Luke Rodgers, a second half substitute turned home a Benbow cross at the near post.

Victory was completed on 83 minutes when Benbow turned a Rodgers free kick against the post and from the resulting goalmouth melee, central defender Dan Preston prodded home.