Exeter City manager Matt Taylor said he was impressed with how his side stood up to the physical test at Colchester United.
The Grecians drew 0-0 in Essex to go undefeated in their past three League Two matches.
They have conceded just three goals in their past eight league games and boast the best defensive record in the division, conceding six goals in total this season.
"We know we can play better than we did, especially with the ball in an attacking sense, but I never want to take away from the honesty, the responsibility, the way this team sticks together in difficult moments," Taylor told BBC Radio Devon.
"We've come across a team [on Saturday] who've physically tested us, they had some fantastic profiles out on that pitch.
"They were a team of well-drilled athletes and we're not quite there as yet - we will maybe get there one day - but then to withstand any pressure like we did, which wasn't constant but they had moments, is credit to the group and credit to what they stand for at this moment in time."
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While Exeter's defensive solidity has been impressive, they have scored just six goals in 11 league games this season - the second-lowest in the division.
But having been one point off the relegation places at the start of the month, they have picked up seven points from their past nine games to move up to 16th place and two points off the play-off places.
"For the 11 games now we've looked a solid, solid team. That's a really good base and a foundation to work from," Taylor said.
"We're nowhere near where we want to be or need to be yet in terms of attacking output," he added.
"But we're in the league now on the back of a couple of wins in the last couple of games and a draw.
"Four points in the last two games away from home, we're in the league, we're in the mix. Now the challenge will be, can we be better?"