High hopes were flattened after a mere 12 seconds of this FA Cup clash - when Danny Davidson sped past the Ilkeston defence to drive home the opening goal.

If that was not bad enough, the Robins were in double trouble in only the second minute. Davidson was fouled by keeper Chris Adamson who escaped a booking but not retribution from the penalty spot.

Midfield man Josh Law drove the ball to Adamson's left as the keeper opted to dive in the other direction. No wonder Ilkeston fans got that sinking feeling.

The night seemed to be flying by, although the game had been delayed for ten minutes to allow the large crowd to get into a rainy New Manor Ground.

The Robins needed inspiration and Anthony Howell did his best to provide it, turning neatly in the penalty area and finding Steven Istead. The cross was headed clear but soon Howell was back in business.

He juggled the ball in one corner of the penalty area and went down, turning to the referee to ask for a penalty. Mr Madley was having none of it.

In the 25th minute, Paul Clayton headed in a cross by impressive left-back Anton Brown. The referee refused a goal and found himself popular again with the Ilkeston faithful.

"There's plenty of time yet," said a forlorn home supporter but there was to be no revival for the Robins, who must have been hoping to reach half-time without further damage.

In the 36th minute, Brown delivered another fine cross and Davidson edged it closer to goal. Clayton turned it past Adamson.

It took 43 minutes for Tom Evans to find gainful employment in the Alfreton goal. Then he kept out Howell's header and soon did even better to take Sam Duncum's low shot.

In the 44th minute, the Alfreton defence made a rare mistake and Howell had a clear view of goal. He decided to turn the ball onto his left foot but the shot thudded against an advertising hoarding.

Manager David Holdsworth introduced top scorer Amari Morgan-Smith after the break, seeking a goal to wrench back some semblance of authority from his team.

He soon had a chance to shine with a free-kick at the Awsworth end. The shot was a yard too high but Alfreton defender Martin McIntosh was closer with a similar effort, hitting the Ilkeston bar and causing another alarm.

Ilkeston forced a couple of corners, both taken by Duncum. He pulled back the second for Morgan-Smith and the volley was not far wide.

But these were rare bursts as an experienced Alfreton side cooled the ardour of their younger opponents in the rain.

"Que Sera, Sera. We're going to Wembley," sang the Reds' fans, who must first contemplate visiting Retford United before looking up the route to the London suburbs.

In 78 minutes, substitute Ben Pringle was just wide from a free kick after Morgan-Smith stepped over the ball.

That prompted a splendid burst by Ben Muirhead, who began as a trainee at Manchester United. He picked up the ball just inside the Ilkeston half, danced round two challenges and tested Adamson with a fine shot.

A few fans had began to leave when Ilkeston scored in the second minute of added time. Anthony Church opened up a gap on the left and Pringle raced onto his pass.

He lifted a left-foot cross to the far post for substitute Callum Green to score with a neat header.

It was a fine goal of little consequence as Alfreton left with the £7,500 prize money.