PROUD Harwich and Parkeston goalkeeper Sam Felgate has admitted being delighted with his side's vastly-improved defensive record.

The buoyant Shrimpers registered their 12th straight win - climbing to fourth in Thurlow Nunn League division one south - by securing a 2-0 victory at Wivenhoe Town on Saturday.

It was a feat that equalled a post-war club record, stretching back to 1964.

Another clean sheet means the side have only conceded three goals in nine games - quite a turnaround given the number they leaked in the opening months of the season.

“As goalkeeper, I’m very proud of that and the more clean sheets I rack up the better," he said.

“I obviously focus on that and, as a group, it’s nice to be rewarded for the work we're putting in.

“At the start of the season we were switching the back four around a lot and couldn’t settle or find a way of playing.

“But then it clicked and now, when we do have to make changes, the people that come in do a really good job.

“Those on the bench or not playing are just as good as those in the starting line-up and that strength in depth is helping us massively.

“It’s a great achievement and something we should be proud of, especially when you consider some of the opposition we’ve beaten along the way.

“It hasn’t happened by chance or luck.

“It’s down to hard work, the way we’ve been playing and the group of players we’re fortunate enough to have.

“I only made one save last weekend and that’s credit to the boys in front of me. They've have been protecting me so well.”

The Shrimpers stretched their explosive winning run to a dozen games after running out 2-0 winners at Wivenhoe.

Both goals came in the second half, scored by skipper Jordan Heath and substitute Callum Griffiths.

“It was a tough game and we didn’t start brilliantly," said Felgate, who will be hoping for another three points and clean sheet in tonight's crunch clash at third-placed Halstead Town (kick-off 7.45pm).

“We didn’t pass the ball and it felt like we were doing everything we’d been told not to.

“But we had another chat at half-time and came out a completely different team in the second half.

“We passed the ball, created more chances and, in the end, deserved to win.

“It was always going to be tough.

“Wivenhoe wanted to stop their bad run and it was obviously a local derby.

“But the game against Halstead will probably be completely different. It’ll be very tight and cagey.

“We’ve just got to go into it with the same attitude that we showed against the other top-three sides that we’ve beaten in the last month.

“If we do that, we’re confident we can go and win the game.

“Momentum is such a big thing in football.

“You walk on the pitch at the start and feel like you’re going to win.

“That belief is giving us an extra ten per cent, on top of the quality we’ve already got."