Nantwich Town are close to securing a play-off spot as they beat already relegated Ilkeston 3-0 at the Weaver Stadium.
The Dabbers needed to show patience against the Robins who set up to counter attack and frustrate the home side.
But goals from Steve Jones, a Ryan Brooke penalty, and a third from Osebi Abadaki secured victory.
Phil Parkinson made two changes with Steve Jones and Abadaki coming in for Joe Mwasile (injured) and Josh Hancock, who dropped to the bench.
Brooke had the first effort with a shot from distance which was easily saved by Tonge.
Jones played in Matt Bell, but he couldn’t control and Tonge was out to gather.
The Dabbers probed and Bell’s great ball behind the Robins defence just eluded Abadaki.
From a free kick, Ben Harrison tried to flick the ball to a team mate, but Tonge again gathered.
Soon after, an Ibou Touray free-kick rattled off the bar with Tonge beaten.
Tom Gamblen had the first effort for the visitors as he fired over from long range.
Abadaki then skewed a shot wide from distance and a Touray cross was cleared in the six-yard box with Brooke and Bell lurking.
The Dabbers finally beat the offside trap with four minutes to go in the half.
Brooke released Jones and, with the Robins defenders appealing in vain for a flag, he advanced into the box, drew Tonge and slotted past the keeper.
The Dabbers started the second half looking for a second.
An Andy White delivery just missed Wayne Riley in the box, but the flag was up against the midfielder.
Ilkeston hit back and enjoyed a period of pressure.
Dan Gyollai had to tip over a long range Anthony Dwyer free kick and made another smart stop from Jaylon Bather from range.
Bather then scuffed wide after a scramble in the Dabbers box.
However, the Dabbers took control and doubled their lead on 51 minutes.
Abadaki wrestled the ball back twice in the box under pressure from Ilkeston’s defence.
He was fouled and the ref awarded a penalty, despite Brooke firing home the loose ball.
Brooke wasn’t to be denied though, as he blasted the penalty past Tonge for his 12th of the season.
And the Dabbers put the game to bed shortly before the hour mark.
Abadaki cut inside and fired low at the near post.
Tonge couldn’t keep the ball out and it found the back of the net for 3-0.
It was Abadaki’s eighth of the season and his first since December.
The tempo dropped as the Dabbers looked to preserve their lead.
Touray dragged a shot wide and Hancock skewed one for a throw in as chances dried up.
Dwyer went for goal from a long range free kick, but his effort was straight at Gyollai.
The Dabbers could have had a fourth when Mukendi got down the left and found Bell with a cross.
Bell fired on goal, but Tonge made a great one handed stop to deny him.
The Dabbers were able to run down the final 10 minutes with relative ease, with Gyollai collecting his sixth clean sheet since January.
The win puts Nantwich just three points away from securing a top five play-off spot.
Nantwich Town: Dan Gyollai, Andy White, Ibou Touray, Curtis Jones, Ben Harrison(Joel Stair, 76), Sam Hall(c)(Josh Hancock, 58), Steve Jones(Vinny Mukendi, 67), Wayne Riley, Ryan Brooke, Matt Bell, Osebi Abadaki. Unused subs: Krystian Burzynski, Tom Peers.
(pics by Jonathan White)
Recent Comments