GLASSBOYS boss Gary Hackett thinks the performance against promotion chasing Ilkeston shows his side are back on track.

Stourbridge drew the game 3-3 at Amblecote on Tuesday night after letting a two goal advantage slip away with just ten minutes left on the clock. However, Hackett believes the performance showed that a difficult spell could now be behind them.

The stalemate followed a 1-0 away win over ten men Ramsbottom last Saturday.

Hackett said: "I did say three or four weeks ago that this side may have to take a step backwards before they started moving forward.

"It was frustrating to lose our lead against Ilkeston the way we did but the performance was very good. We outplayed them for large parts of the game.

"I think we showed real signs that we are now heading in the right direction."

Late heartbreak meant rejuvenated Stour had to settle for a point against Ilkeston.

A breathless encounter had seen the Glassboys 3-1 ahead and with a man advantage approaching the end of the game. But the visitors hit back in devastating fashion to snatch a share of the spoils in injury time.

However, there were far more positives than negatives to take from a thrilling performance from Gary Hackett's men, who included debutant wide man Matt Dodd in their line-up.

Dodd and Chris Lait on the opposite flank were shining lights in a brilliant first half performance from the Glassboys.

Stour started strongly and eventually got the reward they deserved when Lait broke the deadlock in the 41st minute.

Smith could only spill a low Smikle drive into the winger's path and he gratefully bundled the ball into the net.

The home side then doubled their advantage to take a 2-0 lead into the break when Dodd converted from the spot in stoppage time during the first period.

The penalty came after the referee adjudged that Luke Benbow had been fouled by Burgess after Broadhurst had floated a ball to the far post.

Burgess did have his arms around the striker but Benbow didn't need asking twice to go to ground.

Ilkeston came out firing in the second period thanks mainly to the brilliant debut impact of substitute Jack Sowerby.

His quick feet just inside the box saw him brought down by Josh Quaynor after just five minutes of the second half.

Rob Duffy stepped up to make no mistake from the spot.

What followed was an end-to-end affair as both sides went in search of more goals.

Both sides swapped chances before Jack Lane picked up his second booking in the 68th minute.

With a two goal advantage and an extra man, it looked like Stour were in the driving seat to record rare back-to-back victories.

But when Williams fired under keeper Lewis Solly after a Burgess pull back in the 78th minute, it was clear the title chasers had plenty of fight left in them.

Callum Chettle confirmed this in the second minute of injury time as he fired a loose ball into the corner from just inside the box.

The result was harsh on the Glassboys but the performance demonstrated some real signs of a revival at the Memorial Ground.

Hackett praised the impact of recent signings Lait and debutant Dodd.

"It has been difficult for Chris because he came into a side that lost his first three games. But he has done well and showed what he can offer us.

"Matt Dodd is a strong character and will be good to have around the dressing room," he added.

Stour are set to head into a tough run of games against teams at the top end of the division.

They will take on play-off chasing Blyth Spartans away this Saturday before going to current leaders FC United of Manchester a week later.

The next game at Amblecote sees Stour welcome fourth-placed Workington.

"I don't want to let this season peter out," added Hackett. "I want us to finish as strong as we can.

"We now have some difficult games coming up but I believe we can more than cope.

"The Ilkeston performance was very encouraging. We now have to reproduce that."

Meanwhile, defender Exodus Geohaghon has now left the club.