By Mark Chestney

North Ferriby United went down to defeat at Ilkeston Town in the FA Trophy on Wednesday night.

It was a night to forget for Ferriby who were once again reduced to ten men due to a moment of madness from full back Andy Thompson. His violent conduct saw him sent off and for which he will receive a three match ban.

But once again it was a game of ‘if only’s’ for Ferriby who have only themselves to blame for their defeat. They had plenty of chances in the latter stages of the game to maybe salvage something.

If only, the referee had pointed to the spot when Joel Hartley was clearly tackled from behind in the area. Then, if only Thompson had not resorted to taking the law into his own hands there could have been a chance of winning.

It was also a game which saw bookings for Michael Price, Neil Allison, Craig Hall and Gary Bradshaw. Dan White also went into the book for Town but it was again not to be Ferriby’s night.

The game was very open with plenty of chances on both sides the first falling to Ferriby’s Matty Bloor. The chance came from Bradshaw trickery before Bloor fired over the bar.

Town then came into the game through Neil Ross, the striker having recovered after being carried off on Saturday, as his volley flashed past the post.

He then put in a well placed header but Antoni Pecora, himself a victim of a harsh red card at the weekend, superbly saved. But the keeper could do nothing about Ross as he rose to head in from a Dougie Wade cross.

United then hit back and had a great shout for a penalty turned down, a greater shout than had been given on Saturday. Hartley also put in a great cross but which was too far for Bradshaw.

Town keeper Paul Pettinger was also kept busy when he took the ball of Hartley’s toes in front of goal. But it was Town who would go in at halftime with a 1-0 lead which they converted to 3-0 with two goals in six minutes.

However just before this Thompson was given a red card for an incident which saw him involved with Gareth Holmes. And just a minute later Town increased their lead through Adam Muller.

The home side then hit Ferriby again with a third game which virtually sealed the tie. It was Muller and Ross this time who combined for Wade to score and make it 3-0.

Ferriby managed to gain some pride back on 63 minutes when Bradshaw scored. But a 74th minute goal from Ross completed the win for Town and a trip to Curzon Ashton in the next round.

Ilkeston Town: Paul Pettinger, Liam Powell, Lee Featherstone, Gareth Holmes, Jack Cotton, Dan White, Dougie Wade, Ross Gardener, Adam Muller, Neil Ross, Colin Hunter

Subs: Martin Carruthers for Ross (80), Nigel Jemson for White (75), Shane Newton for Muller (80), Matthew Baxter and Paolo Piliero (not used)

Goals: Ross (30,74) Muller (52), Wade (58)

Caution: White (48)

Ferriby: Antoni Pecora, Andy Thompson, Michael Price, Neil Allison, Paul Foot, Joel Hartley, Craig Hall, Matty Bloor, Nathan Hotte, Gary Bradshaw, Danny Ryan

Subs: David Cooke for Hartley (61), Alex Davidson for Hotte (75), James McGarry for Ryan (85) James Windeatt not used

Goal: Gary Bradshaw (63)

Cautions: Price (25), Allison (87), Hall (15), Bradshaw (44)

Dismissal: Thompson (50)

Attendance: 159