Early double sets Leamington on their way in FA Cup clash with Ilkeston Town

It was Ilkeston's first visit since February 1972 and the Derbyshire outfit arrived on the back of five defeats in six in all competitions since winning their opening two games of the season.

But Scott Easterlow’s men grabbed this game by the scruff of the neck with two goals in as many minutes early on.

Cam Eubank, clearly full of confidence after his stunning midweek strike at Stourbridge, received the ball in a central position some 20 yards out on six minutes and his shot flew past startled Ilkeston keeper Sam Wilson like a rocket.

Barely 60 seconds had passed before unmarked birthday boy Louie Rea slammed into the roof of the net for his third goal of the season from a great ball to the far post from Byron Wilson.

Kyle Finn almost added a third when his swirling ball in from the right deceived Wilson and crashed back off the inside of the post.

The Robins’ first clear cut opportunity arrived when Anthony Dwyer, returning to Leamington for the first time since leaving in 2019, led a break down the right. He opted to find Hunter to his left and, though the midfielder got his shot on target, he was denied by a fine save from Cian Tyler.

However, with half-time four minutes away, momentum swung.

Dwyer nipped in between Ruben Freeman and Tyler to stab home from close range for a typical predator's goal, but one that raised Ilkeston spirits right when they needed it.

Dwyer almost provided a leveller soon afterwards when he outfoxed Callum Cockerill-Mollett on the Ilkeston right before sending the ball flashing across the face of goal but just out of reach of Hunter.

However, Brakes found the clinching goal on the hour when Wreh was played in as he took advantage of the bounce of the ball when Eubank played it over the top from halfway, and slipped his shot low past the dive of Wilson.

Right away Ilkeston were almost in with Hunter, but Tyler got there first.

Finn went close after being fed by Farmer down the left, but the visitors were not about to give up this cup tie and Brandy screwed a shot wide after getting into a decent position on the right.

Substitute Koby Arthur almost opened his account when he latched on to a ball over the top, stabbing his shot inches wide.

Leamington broke late on through Nathan Kabeya, who fed Kyle Belmonte perfectly so he could run onto the ball and thump in an absolute rocket of a strike that Wilson spectacularly tipped over the crossbar.

Moments later he received the ball again in a similar position, this time crashing his effort a whisker wide.

To their credit the visitors battled on, but Leamington were able to see the game out.

What a difference a week can make. A draw and two victories and Easterlow’s side are starting to look like a team after struggling through the opening rounds of fixtures in August.

BRAKES: Tyler, Cockerill-Mollett, Kelly, Freeman, Eubank, Wreh, Finn (Walters 73), Farmer (Kabeya 69), Rea (Arthur 69), Belmonte, Wilson. SUBS NOT USED: Fridye-Harper, Fuseini, Palit, Weston.

ATTENDANCE: 435.