David Holdsworth called it "winning ugly" but Ilkeston fans cannot get enough of the lovely view from the top of the division.

They saw their side carried through to victory by the manager's organisation and commitment, which helped his players overcome injury worries, tricky opponents and a windy night at the New Manor Ground.

But it all looked a little difficult when Ossett took a deserved lead in 12 minutes, after settling quickly into a close-passing game which contradicted their lowly league placing.

An Ilkeston defender lost the ball in a dangerous position and it was quickly switched to Rob O'Brien on the right. His angled pass found Aiden Savory and he was able to slide the ball home.

The home side responded with Amari Morgan-Smith shooting just over the top before fellow striker Anthony Howell burst onto centre stage.

He strode through and gave the ball such a whack that it might have sunk the barge on the Erewash Canal, moored beside the Bridge Inn. Happily for the crew it struck the bar instead and dropped down to where winger Sam Duncum swept home a close range goal.

Ossett responded with good work by Adam Lee and Tom Place but Morgan-Smith broke through after 43 minutes. Keeper John Lamb brought him down just outside the penalty area and the referee played the advantage rule until the move halted.

Then he waved a yellow card at the keeper while Ilkeston fans suggested red was a prettier hue. But Lamb was about to be slaughtered by an outrageous deflection.

Ben Pringle angled the free-kick to his right hand post but defender Nathan Hay's legs were about to intervene. The ball cannoned off them and tucked itself inside the left hand post.

It was to be the end of the scoring but Ilkeston had a better second half, showing why they had won the "Team of the Month" award for September.

There were thrilling runs from Howell and Morgan-Smith while Duncum came close to a second goal with a shot which ended up a yard wide. Savory came even closer, hitting a post to cause a brief alarm.

It left Holdsworth saying: "You have to learn to win ugly. This was a cold, windy night and an awkward game. We have this terrible habit called winning - it makes me really happy."

Ilkeston Town
1 - Chris Adamson
2 - Rob Scott
3 - Paul Hurst
4 - Neal Hooks (Anthony Church 77)
5 - Tom Jones
6 - Kieran Murphy
7 - Curtis Shaw
8 - Ben Pringle
9 - Amari Morgan-Smith (Callum Green 74)
10 - Anthony Howell
11 - Sam Duncum (Steve Istead 86)
Subs not used: Dean Gordon, Dan Haystead (GK)
Attendance: 374
Referee: S Hutchinson (Nottingham)