Lancaster City 1-0 Ossett Albion

It was striker Tom Kilifin, making his first league appearance since early November, who sealed all three points in the 82nd minute in what was in truth a poor game.

The recent weather had taken its toll on the Giant Axe playing surface, the heavy pitch combining with the near freezing temperature to create a lacklustre spectacle.

In a game of very few chances the Dolly Blues’ determination earned them victory with a tireless second half performance that grew as the game progressed.

Early doors, however, it was the visitors who had the best chance of the first half.

Unicorns forward Adam Muller drove through the Lancaster backline but City stopper Mike Hale spread himself well to save from close range.

The only chance of note for the hosts was Sam Bailey’s powerful drive that was palmed away by Albion ‘keeper Neil Bennett.

Lancaster were guilty of overplaying at times when in possession in the visitors box with only the one shot on target to show for their first-half efforts.

The second half began in a similar vein, with both teams struggling to adapt to an increasingly sticky surface that made flowing football close to impossible.

As the half ticked by City slowly started to find their rhythm and started to find their passing game, but remained guilty of failing to properly test Bennett.

Bailey, who is making a name for himself as a set-piece specialist, whipped a free-kick narrowly wide of the left-hand post in the closest the Dollies came to scoring until the game changing moment with eight minutes remaining.

Reece Pearce spotted the run of Kilifin and played a perfectly weighted pass through the defence.

The Lancaster forward, showing signs of being close to full match fitness, carried the ball into the box before firing the ball between Bennett’s legs into the net.

City had a chance to extend their lead when Aaron Taylor, the Dollies’ top scorer also returning from injury, spotted Bennett off his line but couldn’t find the target with his lobbed effort from 20 yards.

Lancaster defended well to keep the visitors at bay late on and earn their third successive league clean sheet and continue their impressive 100 per cent record in 2015.

Lancaster City: Hale 9, Bailey 7, Davis 8, Marshall 8, Clark 8, Akrigg 8, Hunter 8, Dodgson 7, Pearce 8, Poole 7, Kilifin 8.

Star Man: Mike Hale - Vital early save and usual commanding aerial presence.