DANNY Wilson hailed his side's character after a second clean sheet in three games secured victory for Hartlepool United.

After a record breaking 25 shut outs last season, Pools have not been so mean this season.

But Saturday saw a second clean sheet in three games and Wilson is sure that the meanness of last season is returning.

"We are back to where we were last season - very difficult to break down,'' he said. "People were willing to defend and put their bodies on the line for us and that's what gets success.

"It was epitomised by what type of player we have at the club because it's a difficult place to come and we had to defend for our lives at times.

"But I think we enjoyed a little bit of luck we deserved. We started well, but didn't take chances and the first goal was important. We haven't been able to get it of late and it was always going to be important here. We got it and then could have had more on the counter attack.''

He added: "We defended really well and it's not a game we dominated 90 minutes, they put us under pressure and we withstood it.

"I'd hazard a guess and if I was to bet anyone, we would have a lot more 1-0s than 4-3s, especially away from home.

"We are comfortable at home, but it's not easy at home. Millwall found that out. Teams make it hard for you and we have found that out, but if we haven't won at home it's not because we haven't played well.

"We won't set our stall out in any game to sit back and defend. We don't have that capabilities. We have a lot of attacking players in the side and that, in a way, allows you to set out your stall to press ahead and form a plan.''

Wilson revealed that keeper Jan Budtz was on the receiving end of an elbow from Ben May.

Budtz went to ground clutching his face after the striker stood to block his clearance.

"Jan is adamant he was hit with an elbow, I didn't see it as play had moved on to the other end,'' said Wilson. "I don't think anyone saw it to be honest, but he is adamant he was hit by an elbow. Was it intentional? Well you don't get elbowed in the face unintentionally.''

Wilson, meanwhile, isn't concerned with the FA charge of failing to control his players.

Players from Pools and Brighton squared up at the final whistle on October 27 and Wilson admitted: "I'm not concerned at all to be honest about it. When you look at the video and analyse it nothing has gone on.

"We've been charged with failing to control our players, but there was nothing to report. I don't even think when they see it and look at it, then it's not even worth going down to London for.

"We will have to put our thoughts in writing, but let's get on with it. There was nothing to get worked up about, all that happened was a few comments after they scored their goal.''