It's only right then that seven days on I praise them for 90 minutes of terrific defending.

And where better to start than with Shaun Barker. He's come in for some stick in the last few weeks, a victim, really, of his own success after setting such high standards during his first two years at the club.

He will admit he's had the odd dodgy game or two of late but credit where it's due – he was superb on Saturday.

Up against tricky, pacy on-loan Chelsea winger Scott Sinclair, Barker got close to his man at all times and marked him out of the game. Sinclair was subbed at half-time.

Barker's excellent performance was mirrored by the other three at the back. Ian Harte had his best game yet (perhaps spurred on by the presence of Stephen Crainey – how nice to see him back), while Ian Evatt and Rob Edwards were both at their best and barely gave Cameron Jerome, Kevin Phillips, James McFaddena sniff.

Praise too to Tony Parkes and Steve Thompson, who made a point of walking the defenders through a few 'back to basics' lessons on the training ground. How it paid off.

That solidity at the back laid the foundations for victory and with Gary Taylor-Fletcher on top form and DJ Campbell's blistering pace making him a constant threat, Pool managed the incredible feat of literally sauntering to victory against a side third from top and aiming to make it back to the Premier League.

The only downside was Claus Jorgensen's red card. In my opinion it was deserved. However, how Lee Bowyer escaped censure after clearly clobbering Jorgensen moments before is a mystery of Agatha Christie proportions.

The bigger picture is three enormous points and a season badly disrupted by the loss of Simon Grayson is hopefully, finally, back on track.