Peter Nicholas, Newport County manager, has warned fans not to expect an easy ride at bottom side Ilkeston tonight.

Ilkeston have won five league matches - all at home.

Nicholas said: "I had them watched on Saturday. They are a physical side and I am expecting a hard game."

Ilkeston drew 1-1 at Bath City after scoring a 90-seconds goal via Leon Kelly, who was later shown the red card.

Defender Jason Perry returns to a County side looking to achieve the double after gaining a 3-0 victory over Ilkeston in their second home match of the season.

Perry missed Sunday's game at Welling because of a one-match ban.

Mike Fowler played in the sweeper's role at Welling while Billy Clark was on the bench and was a replacement for Jeff Eckhardt. Clark had missed a couple of games, including Cardiff City in the FAW Premier Cup, through injury.

Midfield player Kristian Dimond, who has missed only one game since he joined from Cardiff - the FAW Premier Cup tie because he was ineligible - has recovered from a calf muscle injury.

He went off 16 minutes from time at Welling, replaced by youth team striker John Phillips, making his senior debut.

County were beaten by a 56th-minute goal from Paul Booth at Welling, ending a four-match unbeaten run. It was County's 13th defeat by a one-goal margin and Nicholas said: "We played OK in the first-half but not in the second and we gave away a poor goal through bad marking."

County have seven games left - three away and four at home - after tonight, starting with the visit of high-riding Stafford Rangers on Saturday.

Stafford could end the season as runners-up to champions-elect Tamworth, who are on course for a double.

Following quarter-final shocks in the FA Trophy, Tamworth are now favourites. They meet Havant and Waterlooville in one semi-final, Aylesbury United facing Burscough in the other.