A “delighted” Lee Clark expressed his pride following Pools’ 1-0 victory over Woking in the Enterprise National League, as his side bounced back from a “tough few days”.

Chris Popov’s first goal for the Club just before the hour mark secured the three points at Victoria Park, bringing a three-game losing streak in the league to an end.

After a 1-0 defeat away to FC Halifax Town in midweek, the head coach admitted his players produced the positive reaction he was searching for.

“I couldn’t be more proud – they’ve done everything I asked of them today, and that’s to get back to winning ways. I’m delighted with the three points,” Clark said.

“It’s been a tough few days since Halifax, because we know what this Club means to our supporters.

“We’ve talked about making this place a fortress and becoming a tough place to come, and I think the three league performances we’ve had have been very productive.

“The game should’ve been out of sight with the chances we had. Thankfully, the lads held out for a really deserved victory.”

On Popov’s winner, the Pools boss added: “I was so happy for Chris to get off the mark.

 “The good strikers – they miss chances, but they keep going back, and that’s what he did today. He got his rewards, and I’m delighted that it’s won the game for us.”

The victory marked a third clean sheet in just six National League games this campaign, with substitute goalkeeper Nathan Fisher and Player of the Match Neo Eccleston playing key roles in keeping Woking at bay.

“The defensive work has been great. Obviously, we lost Max Merrick [to injury] early in the game, then Nathan comes on and puts in a top-level performance.

“[Neo’s] a terrific player. Wherever I ask him to play, he gets on with it. He’s tenacious; he gets up and down the pitch. He could probably play another 90 minutes; his fitness levels are that high.”