A Johnny Mullins bullet header midway through the second half was all that separated the sides on a filthy day of snow, sleet and rain, with Notts County losing at home to Exeter giving the Town an even more comfortable cushion at the top of the fourth tier.

Jones said: "It was one of those days. I wouldn't say it was ugly in terms of the manner, the set-play and having to dig in. I am proud of them for doing that. Last year we would have drawn or lost that game. We have got a lot of big players missing.

"Sheehan is missing, Hylton had to go off early, McCormack and Cuthbert are out as well. Morecambe are a big, strong side, they've come here in good form. In the first half I thought we were excellent, without scoring. Our movement, our passing, our structure was wonderful. It's just we lacked a bit of cutting edge.

"Sometimes we might have to grind out results and we did. We ground out a result, we extended our lead at the top, and that's what you have got to do. It isn't always going to be fluent football.

"It's a wet, cold day, the pitch was a bit heavy. But today we have shown we are a stronger side than we were last year and that's what I am pleased about."