Gordon strikes to edge Ilford closer to safety

Nathaniel Gordon struck a first-half winner as Ilford picked up three points to ease their relegation fears on Saturday.

Gordon struck seven minutes before the interval to edge the Foxes in front and came close to doubling his side’s lead in the second half, but saw his effort come back off the post.

The win leaves Ilford six points clear of bottom club Waltham Forest with four games to play.

But Walton insists his team will take nothing for granted until they are mathematically safe.

“We would like another win and for Waltham Forest to lose another,” he said.

“If we can go into the last three games nine points clear, then we can start to look up rather than over our shoulder.

“But if we lose on Saturday and Forest win then it’s back to three points, so we are by no means safe.”

Mid-table Grays Athletic are the visitors to Cricklefield Stadium on Saturday, whose inconsistent form seems to have put paid to their promotion push.

The Foxes will have Clydie Roberts and Carl Paul available again.

The pair have both fully recovered from their respective injuries and Walton is confident his side can pick up priceless points.

“I’m expecting us to get a result,” he said.

“Three weeks ago I looked at our last four fixtures and they all looked like tough games, they all had something to play for.

“But now I think them being in mid-table will probably help us.

“We’re not making changes or looking at our budget yet, whereas I think Grays have given up hopes of promotion and released three players this week.

“They’re not as strong as they would have been, but we don’t really know what we’ll be up against.

“They could play a young team, who are all desperate to impress, so we’ll have to be on our guard.”