NANTWICH T 3 ILKESTON 0

NANTWICH Town took another step closer to the play-offs as they beat already relegated Ilkeston at the Weaver Stadium.

It was a comprehensive performance and Nantwich will be pleased with the effort and energy they produced against a determined Ilkeston.

The Dabbers did all the pressing in the first half, but had to be patient to break down a stubborn Ilkeston side.

Tom Gamblen fired just over for the visitors whilst Osebi Abadaki went close at the other end, shooting wide after he was played in on goal.

It was veteran Steve Jones who broke the deadlock, as he beat the offside trap and kept his composure to slot past the keeper to give the home side a deserved lead heading into half-time.

In the second half the Dabbers quickly put the game to bed with two quick-fire goals.

First Abadaki was fouled in the box and Ryan Brooke stepped up to fire in his 12th of the season.

Abadaki then got his reward as he cut in from the left and beat Robins keeper Keiran Tonge at his near post to put the game to bed with a smart finish when it mattered most under pressure.

Matt Bell could have added more gloss to the scoreline as Tonge saved his close-range effort, but in the end, three goals was enough to see the Dabbers march on in their quest for promotion.

Nantwich will be hoping for more of the same for the remainder of the season as they look to end their campaign on a high.