Sheffield United boss Danny Wilson was full of praise for his side's sterling rearguard action as they won 2-1 at Hartlepool in League One.
On a wet and windy North-East night on Tuesday, the Blades maintained their unbeaten league record and moved into the top six in the process thanks to a committed display that repelled constant home pressure.
The Blades needed an 88th-minute winner from on-loan Leicester forward Paul Gallagher to secure victory.
Wilson, who managed Pools from 2006-2008, said: "It was determined and dogged, very dogged. Conditions made it a very confrontational game and the swirling wind saw balls played long holding up, which caused problems for centre-backs and strikers alike at times.
"The referee sometimes doesn't see what's going on which frustrates fans and players alike, but it's a hard-earned three points for us and one we are pleased with.
"I said to the boys afterwards that our best football was played after they scored their equaliser. That pleased me because we didn't change our ideas and get involved in a one-directional game and we scored a very good goal for it."
