Maguire earns Blades draw

Joe Maguire struck two minutes from time to cancel out brother Harry Maguire’s opener and earn us a highly-creditable 1-1 draw against npower League One Sheffield United at the New Manor Ground tonight.

The Robins’ player (pictured) was sat on the bench when his sibling put the Blades ahead in the 57^th minute with a header from a corner.

But Kevin Wilson’s men came back strongly in the closing stages and Ilkeston’s Maguire came off the bench in place of Dan Partridge to curl home a shot from the edge of the box and ensure honours ended even.

It meant Blades manager Danny Wilson and son and home midfielder Laurie also both went home with honour intact.

Prior to the game, lightning lit up the sky in a heavy thunder storm that drenched the playing surface.

The weather predictably made for tricky conditions but, as the rain subsided, the players settled down to fight out a competitive game and gain valuable match fitness.

“It was a game where both sides put plenty into it yet, at the same time, was played in the right spirit,” said Ilkeston boss Wilson.

“I felt in the first half we kept the ball quite well, but in the second half we didn’t do it quite as much and gave it away too cheaply.

“But some of the passing, movement and interchanging, especially down the left, was excellent and it’s a credit to everyone involved for us that we were able to get a draw.”

A healthy crowd of 899 watched the action that saw visiting fans catch a first glimpse of their new signing from Manchester United, John Cofie, while the home supporters got to see their heroes wearing our new orange away strip.

Wilson added: “We probably tired a bit, but all the subs got games and a lot of those who started got 65 or 70 minutes under their belts. All in all, it was a pleasing night’s work.”

We are next in action when another League One side, Notts County, make the short trip to Ilkeston on Saturday (3pm).