The points were shared at Hurst Cross in this match between two of the division’s top six sides.
The visitors had knocked Ashton out of the FA Trophy at the same venue earlier in the season, but this time the sides were more evenly matched.
The first half was a stalemate, as both defences were largely untroubled and much of the play took place in the centre of the field.
A lively Callum Flanagan had the home side’s first attempt on goal with a header that just cleared the crossbar from Matty O’Neill’s cross.
Ben Smith then hit a shot just wide as Ilkeston brought all eleven players back to defend a corner.
Jon Douglas tested Terry Smith, with a low shot that he deflected away for a corner and, at the other end, Flanagan got clear of the Town defence, but saw his low shot held by Chris Adamson.
There was more in the way of goalmouth action in the second period, starting when Ilkeston’s Ben Pringle beat Terry Smith to a through ball, but the home defence managed to clear the danger.
Five minutes later Alex Frost had a goalbound shot blocked before Tom Cahill forced Terry Smith to produce the best save of the match, diving full length to push the ball wide of the post.
It was the away side who broke the deadlock when Douglas headed home at the far post from a corner just before the hour mark.
Ashton responded well and took the game to their visitors, so it was no surprise when Iain Howard scored an equaliser with a stunning left-foot shot on the turn.
From that point on the home side had the better of the match as Ben Smith shot just wide from Howard’s corner, while both Ashton wide men caused the visitors problems.
In the closing stages Ashton came closest to taking all three points as Ben Deegan had a shot deflected for a corner and Rod Thornley, making his home debut as a late substitute for Flanagan, almost got on the end of a ball into the box from O’Neill.
The Robins can now look forward to welcoming FC United Of Manchester to Hurst Cross in the region’s only Saturday fixture over the Christmas weekend.
The match is not all ticket and it is hoped a bumper crowd will come out to help Ashton continue their drive for a play-off place.
Attendance: 130
Bryan Marshall
