Billy Barr used his pre-match team talk to highlight the main points he picked up from Friday’s night’s big Challenge Cup game in Workington.
The Reds manager wanted his side to be as near-error free as St Helens were in that game, and to show the same battling, committed spirit as Town had in defeat.
After a vital 1-0 win at Borough Park he felt that he had mostly got what he asked for but particularly the three points.
Perhaps Reds made more errors than rugby league’s elite from St Helens, but they fought to the end and were rewarded with their first league win since November 8, to keep survival hopes alive.
There were some shredded nerves from the 85th minute as from that time over the season the Cumbrians have lost 14 points by conceding late goals.
But some stout defending, in which Jordan Little was outstanding, eventually saw them through four added minutes to reach the finish line. You could feel the relief – on the field, in the dug-out and on the terraces.
The only goal came from the penalty spot in the 45th minute. Daniel Ogwuru was tripped as he cut in from the left and Steven Rigg thumped home the spot kick.
Really Reds had only seriously threatened before that, and in the second minute. Ogwuru did well out on the left to find Kai Nugent who cut in but decided ton go for goal from a tight angle and Alfie Roberts made the save.
In truth Ilkeston had been the better side in the first-half, dominating possession and territory but the couple of shots on target were comfortably saved by Alex Mitchell, while he did well to gather a sharp header by the post late on.
The second-half was more even, an end-to-end game and Ilkeston keeper Roberts had to make the best save of the match to keep out a thunderbolt from Isaac Whitehall. He flung himself to his right to turn away a shot heading for the top corner.
Ilkeston had two close range efforts cleared off the line after a frantic goalmouth scramble and Harvey Kirby-Moore had a chance to turn in a looped header at the far post but scooped it wide.
It was Billy Barr’s second win as manager but there have also been seven draws as well since he took over, several occurring after conceding a late goal.
It’s onwards and upwards, though, but a difficult game on Saturday when they travel to Gainsborough.
Barr watched them on Tuesday when he labelled them the best team he has seen so far in the league.
