Ilkeston FC 'must stay positive' says Wilson

Manager Kevin Wilson urged his Ilkeston FC players "to stay positive and work on the fine margins" after the Robins went down 3-2 at home to Witton Albion.

Although Ilkeston took the lead via an own goal, Witton went into half-time 2-1 up and despite another own goal to equalise, the visitors took all three points after a late defensive mistake.

Said Wilson: "I'm very frustrated. We're seven games into the league season and have lost five times, all by the odd goal. It wouldn't take much to turn things around but we need to grind a few results out and start moving up the table."

A centre from Matt Richards gave the Robins a first-half lead, with a Witton player turning the ball into his own net.

But rather than building on the goal, Ilkeston dropped off and allowed the visitors to go into half-time 2-1 up.

Wilson changed things around at the break and was rewarded with an equaliser, but despite taking charge for much of the second period, Ilkeston FC paid the ultimate price for not closing out the game late on.

Added Wilson: "I wouldn't say we created enough chances - aside from Matt Richards, we weren't getting the crosses into the box.

"We knew it would be difficult moving up a division this year but I felt we had a squad capable of coping with the challenge.

"In the FA Cup win against Coalville we showed we can keep a clean sheet and create chances, so the players have to stay positive and keep working hard.

"In training they are doing the right things but that isn't coming out on to the pitch. Individual mistakes are happening at both ends of the pitch and it's costing us."