Kendal Town will feel unlucky not to have won the season's opening fixture having led 1-0 for most of the game. On a sunny afternnon and on a good playing surface, the crowd watched two good sides that tried to play attractive football. The first chance of the game went to Ilkeston's Chris Adam, he broke through the Town defence and shot wide. Ilkeston's Tom Jones was lucky to stay on the pitch following a rash tackle on Ian Kilford. Town's first effort on goal came from Craig Hobson after he had been set up by Alex Taylor. Ilkeston's Sam Duncum broke free twice, his first effort went wide, he second needed a good save from Town 'keeper David Newnes. With 25 minutes gone, Craig Hobson should have put Town into the lead, but he headed a pinpoint cross from Carl Osman over the bar from 6 yards. Osman then beat two defenders before shooting wide. At the other end, Anthony Howell brought out a great save from Newnes. The same player then hit the Kendal Town bar. Kendal Town went 1-0 ahead when Ian Kilford finished off a neat move on 35 minutes. Paul Byrne nearly doubled the lead a minute later, Alex Taylor again the provider. The second half started with Paul Byrne crossing for Hobson to head wide. Ian Kilford then worked their 'keeper with a low drive. A Tony Hallam free kick hit the side netting. On 55 minutes Alex Taylor limped off to be replaced by Gary Baker. This seemed to hand the initiative to Ilkeston who started to mount the pressure on Kendal Town, but Town were defending resolutely. Ilkeston substitute Lee Whittington should have levelled things for the home side. Newnes saved brilliantly from Kieran Murphy. On 84 minutes Amari Morgan-Smith finished superbly to make it 1-1, though there was more than a hint of handball in the build up. Late chances for Kendal's Tony Hallam and Ilkeston's Morgan-Smith didn't alter the scoreline. Ilkeston will be the happier of the two sides with the result. A good all round performance from Kendal Town, who were without the suspended Lee Ashcroft, Michael Cole and Neil Murphy.

Man of the match - Kendal Town - Carl Osman

...............................Ilkeston Town - Sam Duncum

Goals - Kendal Town - Ian Kilford, 35min

............Ilkeston Town - Amari Morgan-Smith, 84min

Kendal Town - 1 David Newnes - 2 David Standley(Y) - 3 Paul Byrne(Y) - 4 Tony Hallam (Captain) - 5 George Melling - 6 Callum Warburton - 7 Carl Osman - 8 Craig Hobson(Y) - 9 Alex Taylor Sub (Gary Baker 55 mins) - 10 Ian Kilford - 11 Lee Mulvaney - 12 Gary Baker - 14 Zach Clark - 15 Jimmy Williams - 16 Danny Wisdom - 17 Tom Bush (G/K)

Ilkeston Town - 1 Chris Adamson - 2 Lee Thompson (Captain) - 3 Paul Hurst - 4 Robert Scott - 5 Tom Jones(Y)Sub (Lee whittington 59 mins) - 6 Kieran Murphy - 7 Steven Istead Sub (Ben Pringle 73 mins) - 8 Chris Adam - 9 Amari Morgan-Smith - 10 Anthony Howell - 11 Sam Duncum - 12 Lee Whittington - 14 Jon Douglas - 15 Curtis Shaw - 16 Ben Pringle - 17 Dan Haystead (G/K)

Attendance - 393