SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Daniel Bentley is refusing to take the credit for Blues having the fourth best defensive record in the country this season.

Only Wolverhampton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers and Oxford United have a better average time per goal conceded.

But Bentley feels the whole side deserve credit for the impressive record.

“We have been solid as a unit all season but it’s a team effort to pick up clean sheets,” said the shot-stopper, who lives in Wickford.

“You only have to look at Barry Corr’s work-rate to see how hard everyone is working for one another.

“The midfield three, whoever they have been, work so well and really put lots of pressure on the other team.

“It is nice to know that we are one of the best defensively, but hopefully by the end of the season we can be number one.”

Blues have conceded 23 goals in 28 league outings this season and have let in an average of 0.821 goals a game.

That tally sees them locked level with Championship high-flyers Burnley.

And Bentley feels the good form is also down to the work the team do at their Boots & Laces training ground. “We have spent a lot of time working on our defensive duties as a team in training,” confirmed Bentley, who has kept 12 clean sheets so far this season.

“The manager was obviously a defender and in training he always likes to go through things with fine detail.

“Whenever we’ve had bad spells defensively, we’ve sat down and then got out onto the training ground to work hard at getting better.

“We’re even really disappointed to concede when we’re in training and we all take that attitude into the game.

“It has worked for us up to this stage and we’re pleased with 12 clean sheets, but we’re aiming even higher now.”