LYE Town boss Andy Wyton has been quick to praise the support he has received from Alvechurch manager Ian Long this week.

The Church stepped in to fill the breach after Lye were left without a goalkeeper.

Current shot-stopper Tom Turner has been called away on work commitments which left Lye out on a limb.

Long stepped in to loan goalkeeper Matt Sargeant to Lye.

The move worked a treat as Lye pulled off a prized 3-2 win at impressive Ilkeston Town.

Sargeant produced a string of fine saves after Lye fell behind but two goals from Jack Till followed by a third through former Gornal Colt Luke Carter sealed the points.

Wyton said: "It was one hell of a trip back home!

"Ilkeston have a wonderful set-up and are managed by former Nottingham Forest player Steve Chettle, who also works for Notts County, so there are obvious links between the clubs.

"We were slow coming out of the blocks and I must accept the first half was a bit of a muchness.

"But I was delighted with the rest of our display.

"We've made an excellent start, especially when you consider we're playing the first seven games away from home.

"Yet we should have won all three games so far. After beating Quorn 2-0, we let Loughborough Students off the hook and had to settle for a 3-3 draw.

"Again, we didn't start well and we can't keep giving teams a start, because the better sides won't let you back in.

"I'm so grateful to Ian Long for helping us out. He saved my bacon and given me breathing space to get a replacement goalkeeper."

Wyton will be able to boost his defence further with the return of Luke Paskin while Adam Meacham has now completed a three match ban.

Both should feature in Saturday's trip to promoted side Wolves Sporting Community before Lye make the long trek to South Normanton on Tuesday.