THE optimists beat the pessimists after Ilkeston narrowly lost to Guiseley, promotion favourites and among the wealthiest clubs in this league.

For as Robins' fans analysed their first home defeat, they were to able to reflect that their side remained top of the division and matched opponents who had a certain Mr Adam Muller in their line-up.

His transfer request was the first thing to greet David Holdsworth as he checked the files in the manager's desk at the New Manor Ground.

The deal went through and supporters began to fret but a lot has happened since then. Holdsworth's high-speed team building promptly fell into place and hopes are soaring.

In this match, the Robins' ambitions had to contend with a strong wind, blowing down Awsworth Road and into the face of the Ilkeston team in the first half.

Tightly-knit isobars are no problem for Jon Douglas, chosen to spearhead a three-man attack with Anthony Howell and Amari Morgan-Smith. He soon made his presence felt, helping to hold the ball and bring in Ben Pringle, whose shot was blocked.

Douglas surged through twice more in the opening seconds, once stopped by right back Anthony Lloyd and then judged to have fouled Guiseley captain James Cotterill.

Midfielder Rob Scott, back after suspension, swung over a free kick which reached Howell. Although he was surrounded, he got the ball to Paul Hurst whose high cross was cleared.

Guiseley were happy to soak up pressure and venture only occasionally into the chilly weather but they did so with effect in the seventh minute. Mark Whitehouse got free on the left and Kieran Murphy did splendidly to clear the low cross with Muller fancying his chances.

Seconds later, Murphy took the ball off the red-booted toes of centre forward Dave Brown, the smallest player on the pitch. "Does your mum know you're out?" a fan called to the diminutive striker, who has served time with Nottingham Forest and Eastwood Town.

Hurst was having a fine time down the left and a cross picked out Howell, who was again circled by opponents. He managed to spin at the near post, only for the shot to rise over the top.

In the 20th minute, Morgan-Smith saw a low shot ripple the side netting after it picked up a deflection. The corner was cleared and Muller showed his skill by giving Steve Burton the chance to break through from midfield. Keeper Chris Adamson was able to collect the ball.

Steven Istead was next to produce a driving run from midfield, forcing left back Dave Merris into urgent covering. When Murphy's crossfield pass found Howell, the striker was fouled. Captain Lee Thompson knocked over a high free kick, which was headed out but only to Istead.

Keeper Piotr Skiba made the save look easier than working out an anagram of his former clubs Stomil Olsztyn and Gryf Weherowo.

In the 35th minute, Tom Jones flexed his neck muscles and headed out a couple of crosses before Istead again took up the pace for Ilkeston. Running forward from midfield, he involved Hurst in a move which ended with Skiba pulling down a high cross.

Soon after, the keeper did equally well to deal with two low shots from Istead who was bursting with energy after recovering from recent injuries.

In the 41st minute, Muller showed all his old quality by insinuating himself into a shooting position. He ended the move by lifting the ball over the top.

The wind was unrelenting and drew a plea from a chilled fan to club owner Chek Whyte, who was leaving the Clocktower Stand. "I'm going to have glass put round here and I'm getting the hot water bottles out next week," joked the businessman.

A goal would have warmed the cockles of Ilkeston hearts and Morgan-Smith came within a few inches of providing it. Douglas discomforted the visitors' defence and his fellow striker was suddenly bearing down on Skiba.

The Polish keeper went down at his feet and the ball rose up, clipping the bar and dropping near the goal-line. Holdsworth jumped for joy but landed in frustration as play went on and the move ended seconds before half-time.

Ilkeston resumed with the wind at their backs and Pringle aimed a cross at Douglas. The keeper gathered it just in time.

When Morgan-Smith threatened, he could only be curbed by the joint intervention of Lloyd and Danny Ellis before there was an alert at the other end.

Muller showed some nifty footwork to get between two defenders and cross to Chris Bolder, whose shot went over the top. Guiseley enjoyed a good spell and Murphy made a vital tackle on winger Chris Ovington, who was near goal.

Holdsworth decided to widen Ilkeston's attack and brought on winger Sam Duncum for Douglas. Howell's quickly taken free kick sent Morgan-Smith charging through but the keeper was first to the ball.

Guieeley's manager revealed his ambitions by making two attacking substitutions, one which released Burton into a striker's role. It proved a good decision but not before Ilkeston twice threatened goals.

In 68 minutes, Scott headed wide and then Thompson's cross bothered Ellis, who was forced to head it behind for a corner. That was aimed for Morgan-Smith but Skiba grasped the ball.

After 72 minutes, Guiseley were in front. Muller saw Burton's forward run and steered the ball into his path. Adamson did brilliantly to beat away the shot but was not to be rewarded.

The ball went straight back to Burton, who flicked the ball home with the outside of his right boot. It inspired a determined response by Ilkeston with Duncum immediately winning a corner, which was headed over by Morgan-Smith.

Scott supplied Morgan-Smith but again the finish was a little too high before Guiseley came close to a second goal. A defensive slip allowed Ovington a clear view of goal but he pulled the effort wide from a fine position.

The visitors were showing their skills as Ovington combined with Burton to build a triangle of passes which ended in a corner. This ended with a foul on Adamson, whose long free kick was aided by the wind.

Howell was chasing it like a schoolboy after a lost kite. Ellis managed to waft the ball away before it could cause him undue harm.

In the 87th minute, Morgan-Smith got free on the left and found Jez Mitchell, who had just left the subs' bench but was already the Mr Cool. Instead of blasting his chance of glory, he took time to carve out a little space before forcing Skiba into an excellent save.

Burton was a danger at the other end but Jones headed the ball away before it could reach him. The referee ordered three minutes of added time and the Robins did their utmost to make them count.

Thompson's long cross was knocked behind for a corner which was taken by Istead. The swirling ball was headed over by Howell but the referee's whistle had sounded for a foul.

Another long pass found Morgan-Smith and his shot looked to be heading for goal when a defender dived and cleared. The Ilkeston striker asked for a handball decision but the referee would have none of it.

"Ah well, you can't win 'em all," said the Ilkeston fan, as he surveyed cut-price mangoes in a supermarket after the game. He bought the fruit and is still buying into the dream of the Robins doing rather well this season.

Ilkeston Town
1 - Chris Adamson
2 - Lee Thompson (c)
3 - Paul Hurst
4 - Rob Scott (Jez Mitchell 83)
5 - Tom Jones
6 - Kieran Murphy
7 - Steve Istead
8 - Ben Pringle
9 - Amari Morgan-Smith
10 - Anthony Howell
11 - Jon Douglas (Sam Duncum 56)
Subs not used: Dean Gordon, Neal Hooks, Dan Haystead (GK)
Attendance: 603
Referee: R Martin (Sheffield)