Dave Challinor explains the tactical secret behind Hartlepool United's comfortable clean sheets against Notts County, Aldershot Town and Stockport County at Victoria Park

The shutouts against Stockport County, Aldershot Town and most recently Notts County have been strikingly straightforward with goalkeeper Ben Killip barely having a save to make since his return.

The upturn in defensive form does coincide with the loan arrivals of Timi Odusina and Macauley Southam-Hales with the latter clearing the ball off the line in the wins over Stockport and Aldershot.

But Challinor insists it’s down to his side’s tactical approach opposed to strictly personnel that has enabled Pools to look solid at Victoria Park in particular.

“You look at defending and say it’s down to the goalkeeper and the back four but it’s more than that,” said the Hartlepool manager.

“The pressure we’ve been able to apply in the top end of the pitch and midfield has a real impact on what happens at the back.

“Our recent games have been really comfortable for Ben where he’s only had to make one or two saves, it's just about keeping his concentration.”

The fitness and intensity being shown by Pools is making them a nightmare to play against at The Vic.

“If opposition defenders are playing balls, they’re doing so under pressure,” Challinor added.

“The midfield are pressing with intent and our defenders are called upon less than what they would have been.

“Clean sheets come down to a bit of luck, a bit of tactics but plenty of hard work. They’re not scared to take the ball in risky areas and give the ball to people under pressure knowing that if they lose it, we’re good enough to deal with what teams throw at us.

“They deserve praise because earlier in the season when we’ve been leading and we’ve drawn or lost, it’s easy to point the finger at the defence and goalkeeper because we’re conceding goals.

“I want us to be a team who attack as a team and defend as a team and it’s important they buy into that which they have done.”