Brighton manager Gus Poyet hailed the resilience of his side after they earned a goalless draw at promotion-chasing Colchester.
Albion produced a competent and well-organised display to maintain their impressive away form under the Uruguayan.
Poyet said: "I'm very proud of the way that we defended. It was important to keep the clean sheet. The players defended well and they made some good decisions."
He added: "I'm pleased for them because it was a challenge for them. We knew we had to deal with the balls coming into the box and the strength of the opposition and we did that.
"It was about making the right decision and we did that. We're thinking about what we're doing now and that's very important."
Colchester manager Aidy Boothroyd was disappointed his side were unable to put more pressure on second-placed Leeds after having to settle for the draw.
Victory would have moved the Us to within three points of the Yorkshire club, but the stalemate leaves them five points adrift of the automatic promotion places.
Boothroyd, who acknowledged Brighton's impressive display, said: "Brighton have beaten Charlton away and they were 90 seconds from beating Leeds away. They are no mugs, but having said that we're all disappointed because we expect to win home games.
"We weren't as good as we normally are. It was a game where I think, on reflection, we might look back and think we got away with it. We never really looked like scoring. It's not like us because we normally upset the opposition."
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