Chests out to take deep breaths, the Robins fans bellowed long into the night: "You are my Ilson, my only Ilson."

With a massive Ilkeston flag, they made their presence heard as their side tried manfully to return to winning ways in the league.

The team seemed on its way to three points after working hard to subdue the hosts, who are worrying about relegation and were just as eager to avoid defeat.

In 23 minutes, Alex White's fine pass picked out Josh Burge who did wonderfully well to edge the ball to Matt Godden in the crowded penalty area. The shot was too high but the omens were good.

Dan Holmes picked out Gary Ricketts with a high corner and Charlie O'Loughlin tried to turn home the header but narrowly failed in the 27th minute.

O'Loughlin was up for a Holmes corner in 36 minutes, heading it powerfully forward for fellow central defender Luke Waterfall to finish it off and seize the lead.

Holmes was causing problems and a free-kick might have led to a crucial second goal in the Ilkeston cause. Once again it was Waterfall doing a bit of moonlighting as a striker. The shot went over the top.

Ricketts had been booked and manager Kevin Wilson withdrew him at half-time, fearing a second yellow card and dismissal would lead to another lengthy ban which Ilkeston could ill afford.

On came Amari Morgan-Smith who has been bothered by a chest infection in recent weeks and is working his way back from the subs bench.

Hyde manager Neil Tolson's talk must have used Churchillian phrases because his team emerged for the second-half ready to fight on the flanks, through the middle and just about everywhere else.

They showed their ardour with a 47th minute free kick by Matty Burke, who shortly returns to Alfreton Town. This was headed across by Mark Lees but the ball was cleared.

Moments later, keeper Dan Lowson had his first urgent job of the night, going down at the feet of the onrushing Tom Manship, who once played for Ilkeston. The goalie bravely got the ball just as the offside flag was hoisted.

Ilkeston responded through Rory Coleman but the effort went wide. The winger did well to pick out Morgan-Smith whose good run was judged to have been offside.

Winger Kevin Holsgrove was causing problems by starting on the right and cutting inside to use his left foot to dangerous effect. One cross floated worryingly close to the far post.

In 66 minutes, Sam Duncum emerged from the bench after being in the wars. He got a painful kick at Fleetwood and was then blighted by flu, making him unable to last a full 90 minutes. The Ilkeston fans chanted his name.

A Hyde fan, wearing a red bobble cap, was gloomily preparing for defeat. "We've got used to seeing our team not scoring," he declared to anyone who would listen.

In the 76th minute, he had to get used to seeing his team score when a throw-in caused problems for Ilkeston.