Making the smallest of tweaks to his starting eleven, Wilcox opted to start Jonny Margetts in place of fellow summer signing Frank Mulhern. The squad otherwise unchanged from opening day. As expected, three former Blues faced their former clubs. 'Keeper, Dylan Wharton only having two games to wait for his reunion, while Callum Minkley at the back & Matt Thornhill have been regular opponents since departing the Northolme.

Trinity raced out of the traps, looking to get on the front foot on a scorching hot evening. Margetts going to ground under pressure in the early exchanges, but Mr Conde wasn't interested in his appeals. Ashley Jackson and Fraser Preston combined well down the left hand side in the opening ten minutes. Preston scampering to the byline. His chipped centre taking out Wharton, but agonisingly - it also narrowly missed Margetts arriving in the six yard box.

Preston was looking to pull the strings. And he threaded a clever ball through for Javelld Clarke. Clarke looked the favourite to get on the end of the weighted pass, but a split second hesitation allowed Wharton to block. Despite looking to pose problems, Trinity needed to remain switched on to the quick counter attack. One attack, ended with Jackson making a brilliant recovery run to retrieve possession for Russ Wilcox's men.

Clarke was becoming an increasingly threat. And he delivered from the right. Lewis Butroid got across the front post well, but he couldn't generate the direction, or power, to trouble Wharton. As Ilkeston looked to finish the half strongly, David Robson got up well to gather a high, hanging cross. His quick distribution out to the right found Aaron Simpson. Helping the ball on, into a good area, Clarke made the movement from left to right - and didn't give up the lost cause. And forced the error as 'keeper and defender failed to communicate. and Trinity had a spot kick in first half stoppage time. Margetts took the penalty, up against Wharton. The Hednesford FA Cup hero guessed right, but couldn't get a hand to the attempt - unfortunately for the visiting Gainsborough faithful, the ball thumped back off the upright - and the sides would go in all square.

Half Time: Ilkeston Town 0 Gainsborough Trinity 0

Despite the setback on the stroke of half time, Trinity again went out with a steely resolve and worked hard in humid conditions. A niggle second period becoming littered with yellow cards as tempers threatened to boil over, in the heat.

Aaron Simpson's quickly taken throw in finding Lewis Butroid breaking the lines. Clarke looking to profit from the Gainsborough born midfielders' selfless running. His effort was deflected behind for a corner, as Javelle was left with head in hands. Bobby Johnson's inswinging corner asked questions of Wharton, that he answered. Beating the ball away as it dipped under his bar. A hurried up and under clearance put the hosts on the attack, but Trinity recovered their ground well, snuffing out the danger.

Assured distribution from David Robson helped Trinity stretch the play. Winning a freekick, Preston delivered - and the Robins half cleared - but Clarke couldn't generate the power with his head from 14 yards out. Ilkeston's Walker tried his luck with an improvised finish, but didn't trouble Robson, before Clarke broke the deadlock for the Holy Blues. Ashley Jackson gained some territory down the left for Trinity. And a panicked Ilson clearance fell kindly for Margetts who lifted the ball into the path of Clarke, who was making his run from left to right. Cleverly steering his first time finish back across Wharton before he could set himself, it was a tidy finish by the ex Brighouse attacker. Opening his and Gainsborough’s scorecard for the season.

As expected, Ilkeston looked to find a way back into the game, but Trinity kept their shape. Kept their composure and forced the hosts to go longer. Twelve minutes from time, Robbie Fox gifted possession to Frank Mulhern, who had come on for Margetts & Mulhern quickly released the fleet-footed Javelle. He raced away, and looked to cut back onto his left, only to be squeezed out.

As Ilkeston looked to throw the kitchen sink at the Blues, a mis-placed Sam Essien pass allowed Sisa Tuntulwana to break in behind. Mulhern up in support, Sisa went for goal himself, and passed up the opportunity to double the Gainsborough lead. Trinity had already looked to shore things up, with the late introduction of Harrison Beeden, who was strong in the air. Adding his aerial prowess to the backline. And helping the team to keep a positive clean sheet. Recording the first points of the season, in matchday two.

The Holy Blues are now set to hit the road again, at the weekend. Heading to Warrington Rylands. As the month of August continues at a breathtaking pace.

The Teams

Ilkeston Town Dylan Wharton, Tyler Whyte, Colin Daniel, Matt Thornhill (Tobbie Fox 68) Tom Marshall, Callum Minkley, L'Varn Brandy (Jordan Stevens 56), Sam Essien, Jamie Walker, Harvey Kirby-Moore, Connor Dixon (Dylan Youmbi 56)
Subs not used: Dorian Sulkowski & Frankie Shepherd

Gainsborough Trinity David Robson, Aaron Simpson, Ashley Jackson, Bobby Johnson, Will Lancaster, Adam Crookes, Lewis Butroid, Jordan Helliwell (George Hornshaw 84) Jonny Margetts (Frank Mulhern 74) Javelle Clarke (Sisa Tuntulwana 83), Fraser Preston (Harrison Beeden 87)
Sub not used: Curtis Durose

Attendance 413
Report by Rob Hughes (@AAM_Media)
Images by Rob McNeil (Ilkeston Town FC Official Photographer)