WANDERERS showed their true grit to seal a 1-0 victory over play-off rivals Brighton, leaving Dougie Freedman saluting their will to win.

Marcos Alonso’s first-half strike was enough to earn a crucial three points at the Reebok that brings the Whites within touching distance of the top six.

It was the first time in six-and-a-half years that the club have put together five straight wins, and the first time in four years that they have registered back-to-back clean sheets.

And Freedman paid tribute to his players as the record continued to tumble.

“I keep saying that there was a small turn in the last 10 games as to what we are doing. It was a small belief and it’s kept going,” he said.

“A few small things have gone against us, like a couple of injuries, but we’ve not let that affect us and that shows how strong we are mentally.

“It’s been a remarkable turnaround since I came in terms of our playing style and clean sheets. It’s how I evolve the team and how I like to play.

“I felt we showed a spirit and a determination there that can get you a long way.

“We proved after a very tough time that our physical output was lacking but maybe that’s understandable because we’ve had so many games.

“But our desire to keep a clean sheet was terrific and I think that is very important.”

Freedman also believes that the Whites fans are starting to think on the same wavelength after his defensive substitutions late on to see the game out were accepted by the fans.

“The good thing is that it is slowly turning on and off the pitch,” he said. “I was delighted with the crowd in the last 10 minutes.

“They understand what I am doing. I went three centre halves, I sat back and thought ‘this is just planned’.

“We work on the training ground so that the lads know what they have got to do in these situations. It’s part of the game. You use your substitutes to win the game, or keep the game.”