Simon Weaver hails Harrogate Town's defensive work as rare clean sheet is secured at Hartlepool United

The Sulphurites headed into Tuesday’s game having managed just the one shut-out in their opening 10 National League fixtures, but managed to chalk up a second courtesy of a hard-earned 1-0 victory.

In truth, there wasn’t too much else to write home about following a fairly uneventful contest played out in wet conditions, which saw Town struggle to find any real fluency in attack or create much by the way of goal-scoring opportunities.

Indeed, it was lowly Pools who looked the more likely to break the deadlock in the first half before Bailey Hobson’s heavily-deflected strike settled matters eight minutes after the resumption.

But, visiting central defenders Sam Dreyer, Archie Baptiste and Grant Horton certainly earned their wages alongside on-loan Bolton Wanderers goalkeeper Luke Hutchinson.

And Weaver was quick to praise them for their contribution to what he described as an “ugly” win.

“What I am really delighted with is the clean sheet,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked any more of our back-line.

“Hartlepool threw quite a bit at us and we had to defend well and earn the win. The defensive discipline was good, we didn’t get overstretched. There were a couple of instances where we did in the first half, but we looked at that at half-time and just said to make sure that the distances were better in terms of our shape.

“Hartlepool provided us with a real challenge with their two robust centre-forwards, and our lads – Sam, Grant and Archie – who are still new to this level, came through the second-half test extremely well.

"Grant wasn’t fit for the majority of pre-season or the start of the season, Sam then joined the club after that, so it’s not easy to gel them together when points are to play for. But they have worked hard in training and are carrying out their roles.”

Tuesday night saw Hutchinson make his fifth appearance since his arrival from Championship Bolton, and boss Weaver felt he produced his most accomplished display to date.

"I thought that Luke was excellent,” the Harrogate chief added.

“He was so quick out of the blocks to be able to close down, to go to ground and sweep up behind the centre-halves. And, I thought his distribution was clean.

"So the lads have got a lot to thank Luke for on the night and I am delighted for him that he got the clean sheet, his first since joining the club.

“He is growing in confidence. He is an eager lad and he wants to do well.”

Tuesday’s victory lifts Town up to second place in the National League standings after 11 rounds of fixtures.