Ky Green and Isa Abraham scored first-half goals as Hinckley AFC gave their supporters more festive cheer with a 2-0 win at Ingles.
On a bobbly pitch, it was never likely to be a game for the purists but Hinckley merited their three points that came through goals from a pair of set pieces before half time.
Kicking down the slope first, Hinckley were the brighter side from the off but home keeper Lorcan Morrissey made comfortable saves from Tom Weale, Abraham and Brady Middleton.
And they made their ascendancy count on the half-hour mark when Weale’s long throw was recycled back into the box and Green hooked it home with Morrissey unable to get enough of a hand to his strike to push it off target.
Just five minutes later it was two – Weale’s free kick fell to Jack Edwards, his shot was blocked but the rebound fell to Abraham to slide home from six yards.
The second half was a closely fought contest but Hinckley came closest to scoring again when Weale’s header from Danny Fraser’s free kick crashed off the bar.
AFC preserved their clean sheet when Zaki Evans cleared off the line from Jack Allen following an Ingles break, with Brandon Bache making a comfortable save after a goalmouth scramble soon after.
His opposite number Morrissey denied Jack Edwards with his legs as Hinckley sought a third, which they came even closer to when Abraham rounded Morrisey but could only balloon over the bar after a wicked bobble as he took his shot.
They remained largely untroubled with their lead, though, seeing the game out for a ninth consecutive league victory to remain top of the table.
Ingles: Lorcan Morrissey, Kian Armson (Adam Palmer 58), George Wesley, Dan Chapman, Josh Bowley, Billy Blackshaw, Joe Goodwin (Owen Brader 73), Ellis Edwards (Oli Unwin 70), Aaron Windram, Billy Snaith, Cameron Smith (Jack Allen 58). Sub not used: Rhys Scargill.
Hinckley: Brandon Bache, Harry Sawyer, Danny Fraser, Zaki Evans, Ky Green, Charlie Swingwood, Jack Edwards, Tom Weale, Brady Middleton (Riley Davoile 77), Declan Somel, Isa Abraham. Subs not used: Jack Beasley, Shay Durkan, Joe Cairns, Lewis Rankin.
Goals: Ky Green (30), Isa Abraham (35)
Attendance: 193
