Ilkeston FC boss Kevin Wilson has challenged his players to maintain their impressive unbeaten run in the Evo-Stik Premier Division as they battle for promotion.
The Robins had not lost for 17 games in all competitions until they were knocked out of the Derbyshire Senior Cup in the semi-finals at Gresley on Tuesday night.
But Wilson has quickly brushed off that disappointment – and he wants his players to focus on keeping up their unbeaten league run, which stands at 12 games ahead of their clash with Frickley Athletic at the New Manor Ground on Saturday (3pm).
Ilkeston have not tasted defeat in the league since way back in October, with eight wins and four draws lifting them up to third place in the table, eight points behind leaders Skelmersdale United with six games in-hand.
"The 17-match unbeaten run might be over, however we still have the unbeaten run in the league to maintain on Saturday," said Wilson, after his side's 2-1 cup defeat at Gresley.
Carlton Town, who face Sutton Coldfield Town away in the Evo-Stik First Division South, have confirmed Danny Elliot will not play for the club again this season because he has gone travelling and youngster Ben Flynn has been released.
In the Conference, Alfreton Town travel to mid-table Braintree Town and a positive result could lift them out of the relegation zone.
But boss Nicky Law is expecting a difficult challenge.
"You know what you are going to get with Braintree, especially at their place. It will definitely be tough," he said.
"We have got to get the attitude and the work rate right, as we have done over the last two games.
"If we do, we will be ok, but it will be another tough one."
Central defender Callum Howe, who netted his first goal for the club in the 4-2 win over Southport last Saturday, picked up a minor hamstring injury which kept him out of Tuesday's 2-2 draw against high-flying Forest Green and he will be out of action for up to another ten days.
Selected non-league fixtures for Saturday
Conference: Braintree Town v Alfreton Town
Evo-Stik Premier Division: Ashton United v Grantham Town, Ilkeston FC vs Frickley Athletic
Evo-Stik First Division South: Loughborough Dynamo v Rainworth Miners Welfare, Sutton Coldfield Town v Carlton Town
Midland Football League: Basford United v Boldmere St Michaels, Dunkirk v Stourport Swifts, Loughborough University v Long Eaton United, Shepshed Dynamo v Coventry Sphinx
NCEL Premier Division: Cleethorpes Town v Retford United, Worksop Town v Parkgate
NCEL Division One: AFC Mansfield v Yorkshire Amateur, Clipstone v Louth Town, Hemsworth Miners Welfare v Bottesford Town, Pontefract Collieries v Teversal, Winterton Rangers v Shirebrook Town
East Midlands Counties League: Anstey Nomads v Radcliffe Olympic, Borrowash Victoria v Radford FC, Gedling Miners Welfare v Bardon Hill, Greenwood Meadows v Stapenhill, Kimberley Miners Welfare v Arnold Town
