Exeter City manager Gary Caldwell says he has been impressed with how defensively solid his side has been this season.
The 20th-placed Grecians have conceded just 20 goals in their 20 League One games this season – the third-lowest in the division.
They are the only club that has a positive goal difference in the bottom half of the table and have conceded just one goal in their past four games in all competitions.
“It was a big part of our pre-season, our work as a group on the training pitch and the meeting rooms,” Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.
“We spoke about it as a group to try and be the best defensive team in the league.
“I think we’re getting a lot of things right, I think we defend the box as well as anyone. It’s down to hard work on the training pitch.”
Exeter have won two of their past three league matches, but remain outside the drop zone on goal difference.
“I think as much as our defensive play in the box and defenders blocking and putting their bodies on the line, I think our front players are outstanding at setting press, whether it be high, mid or low, and that understanding of when we get pressure on the ball and they need to go and do that,” Caldwell added.
“Saturday it was a big part of our game, so it’s not a defensive award, it’s a team award for the work that we’ve put in.”
