Second half turnaround secures Lancaster City victory over Ilkeston

Lancaster City won a hard fought three points, after coming from behind to beat Ilkeston Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

The away side opened the scoring early in the first half, but were stunned by a rampant second half display from the Dolly Blues, with goals from Sam Bailey and Jim Craig making it two wins on the bounce for Jimmy Marshall's men.

Sam Bailey was making his 350th appearance for Lancaster, as Dylan Moonan came into the XI as the only change following on from Tuesday night's win at Whitby.

The first chance of the game went the way of the Dollies, as a tepid early effort from Steven Yawson stung the palms of the Ilkeston goalkeeper Sam Wilson.

Unfortunately for the Dolly Blues, the injury problems worsened not long later, with Nathan Caine needing to depart, he was replaced by James Nolan.

The situation then promptly worsened for Lancaster, with the away side opening the scoring. Jevin Seaton's head connected with Sonnie Davis' cross to force the initial save from Brad Kelly. Luckily for Ilkeston, Anthony Dywer was on hand to stab the rebound into the gaping net.

The Dollies went looking for an immediate response, with Dylan Moonan's 20 yards effort bouncing off the crossbar after a punch out from Wilson.

Dom Lawson and Tony Oliver both came close to equalising before half time, unfortunately both efforts would land on the wrong side of the post, brushing the side nettings.

Lawson then had an effort on the other side of the break, forcing a good low save out of Wilson, who continued to keep Lancaster at bay.

The Dollies needed that golden opportunity and they soon got it, after D.Moonan was tripped up in the penalty area, leaving S.Bailey to smash home the equaliser on his milestone appearance.

S.Bailey then almost set up a quickfire second moments later, as his whipped cross was glanced just wide by the head of Lawson.

However, all the Lancaster pressure would eventually pay off. S.Bailey's inswinging corner was headed back across goal by Joe Amison and met by the diving head of Craig to spark wild celebrations at the Shed End.

Lancaster went for the killer blow in stoppage time but substitute James Bailey's tight angled effort was pushed away from goal by Wilson.

It mattered little though, with the full time whistle blowing not long after, confirming two wins from as many games.

Lancaster: Kelly, S.Bailey (Thompson 90+5'), B.Moonan, Amison, Oliver, D.Moonan, C.Bailey (J.Bailey 70'), Craig, Lawson, Caine (Nolan 12'), Yawson (Flanagan 89')

Ilkeston: Wilson, Davis, Grewal-Pollard, Hawkridge (Arbouin 69'), Johnson (Brandy 85'), Omoregbee, Jennings (Robinson 82'), Hunter (Newell 76'), Seaton (Reason 69'), Yaya, Dwyer