Ben Strevens lauded his team’s defensive stability as Dagenham & Redbridge beat National League rivals Hartlepool 1-0 at the Suit Direct Stadium on Saturday.

Josh Umerah struck early on to secure the points for the visitors and push Daggers up to eighth place in the table ahead of midweek trip to Altrincham.

“I’m delighted for everyone. It was a hard-fought victory," Strevens told the club website.

"We certainly weren’t at our best on the ball today, but the boys showed another side of themselves in the way that they defended

“The way they committed to each other and worked so hard. Some of the blocks and tackles as they (Hartlepool) put so many balls in our box. Lots of crosses.

"The way our boys defended as a collective was outstanding. Whenever you come away from home and you get a clean sheet, it’s a team effort.”

The Daggers have managed two clean sheets from their last three in the National League, seeing them climb the table and sit just a point behind former league leaders Gateshead - who they also thrashed 7-1 at Victoria Road.

“We know we’ve got boys in the attacking area that can score goals. We’ve probably had some real good chances today to add the second as well," added Strevens.

"They were having lots of spells in our half, but I remember two or three chances for us that we probably could have gotten that second to make it a bit more comfortable for us.

“The way the boys defended, but then you think that we had Phippsy [Harry Phipps] playing central midfield and Vinny’s [Frank Vincent] been playing left back.

“I thought the centre halves were terrific. We had to make the change at half-time, drop Reesy [Josh Rees] back in there, and bring Coxy [Reece Grego-Cox] on.

"It’s full credit to all those boys without the midfielders missing. I thought the boys in that area today, particularly Phippsy, had an outstanding day.

"It was summed up with his tackle late in the game. It was another brilliant tackle.”

The Dagenham boss also touched on the importance of the return of talisman Ryan Hill, who featured as a substitute on Saturday after a spell on the sidelines.

“It gives us options, as we know Junior [Morias] can play anywhere across that front four. We know Coxy can play front or wide.

"Josh Umerah is probably only the main one (who can play through the middle). Dylan can probably play in those wide areas as well.

“Hilly was desperate to come back into training and was desperate to be involved, but I have to be honest, last year I got to the point where as soon as Hilly was back I was having to throw him straight in with the attacking players that we had.

“It was easing him back in. Looking at the last 15 minutes - we thought we could get that out of him today, but it’s a step forward for him.”

The Daggers were looking to continue their promise when they made the long trip to Altrincham for another away clash in the National League, before returning to home soil to host Solihull Moors on Saturday.