By James Briscoe
The penalty spot played a part in another Nantwich Town game as star forward Aaron Burns scored one of two first-half penalties.
And the 2-2 draw against Ilkeston at the Weaver Stadium was about a fair result.
Each side led at some stage and Fleetwood Town’s Nick Haughton on loan at Nantwich lit up the day.
Nantwich debutant Haughton went down under a clumsy challenge on two minutes yet the referee saw no infringement.
The slight forward looked lively from kick off. He made another effective run on five minutes and nearly put Burns through.
Ilkeston’s James Reid forced a good save out of Nantwich keeper Steve James on seven minutes with a whipped free-kick given for an innocuous incident.
Nantwich’s midfield could not keep up with a quick Ilkeston passing move on 10 minutes which led to dangerman, Matt Richards, sprinting in to the channel and having a shot deflected in.
Ilkeston defender Joe Maguire tugged back Steve Foster on 15 minutes in the away area leaving the referee with no choice but to give a penalty.
Nantwich top scorer Burns despatched it expertly to the keeper’s left.
Kane Richards provided a threat to Nantwich’s right in the first half with a run taking out Mat Bailey and Andy Pearson on 25 minutes before he shot over.
Josh Eastwood did well to battle and cross on 29 minutes but Burns’ shot was blocked.
Maguire was caught out again on 31 minutes giving away another penalty by taking down Burns but the usually clinical spot kick taker saw his effort kept out by Ross Etheridge.
The visitors could not clear a flurry of headers starting with Bailey’s and then Earl Davis.
And Foster’s leap ensured the ball ended up in the back of the net on 36 minutes to the home fans’ delight.
Maguire made up for gifting Nantwich two spot kicks when he slotted home from inside the Dabbers’ area after a corner was not cleared on 51 minutes.
Ilkeston’s irate captain Laurie Wilson, on a yellow card, was taken off presumably as a precaution for Che Adams on 62 minutes.
Haughton showed more fancy footwork on 63 minutes, setting up Foster who back heeled for Eastwood but his shot was easily held.
The second half was feisty but with Nantwich’s attacking threat dimming, their defence looked more compact.
Haughton saw less of the ball in the second 45 and after he was substituted with 15 minutes remaining it was up to others in green to get creative.
Ilkeston substitute Rai Simon missed arguably his side’s best chance of the game on 85 minutes as he hit the crossbar with his header from a few yards out.
Ben Deegan’s back post header nearly stole all three points for Nantwich in the 89th minute, but it was struck straight at the keeper.
Nantwich: Steve James, Andrew Pearson, Andy White, Andy Keogh, Earl Davis, Mat Bailey (c), Josh Eastwood, Oliver Devenney (Alex Meaney 74), Aaron Burns, Steve Foster (Ben Deegan 86), Nick Haughton (Peter Green 74). Subs: Alex Frost, Sam Wilson.
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