Chris Hughton hailed Nottingham Forest's defensive resolve after they knocked Cardiff City out of the FA Cup.
Lyle Taylor's third minute goal settled the third round tie at the City Ground, with Forest edging the first half.
They were on the back foot throughout in the second, but protected Jordan Smith's goal well, with the stand-in keeper doing his job when called upon.
That resilience pleased Hughton, who was delighted with his back four.
Joe Worrall and Scott McKenna shone in the centre of the defence, but Hughton reserved special praise for full-backs Carl Jenkinson and Gaetan Bong, who set up the only goal.
"It was a battle and we at times perhaps made hard work of it. We scored a really good goal early in the game," Hughton said.
"We've spoken about that a lot. It's nice to be able to hold on to a lead.
"I'm pleased to be through. The two sides of the game were, it's a clean sheet. I'm delighted with how we defended in that second half.
"We needed to keep the ball better and get in better areas. If you don't then you'll pile on that pressure.
"Cardiff were a strong team and they gave us the type of game we expected. We had to defend well.
"The ideal scenario is that you defend well and score goals. We've found scoring goals difficult.
"It's something we'll continue to work on. If we can't get goals then we have to stay in games.
"What I was really pleased with was particularly the full-backs. Jenkinson and Bong haven't played while I've been here so for them to come in and be part of a defensive unit that has done well speaks volumes for their approach to training and their attitudes."
