TOWN will head into action at Hartlepool tonight (7.45) with Peter Jackson reminding them: "Good defending starts up front."

After seeing two goals conceded in each of the last two League I games, Jackson is eager to return to the previous form of three successive clean sheets.

That trio of matches were all won, and the manager added: "We always look capable of scoring, so if we can shut them out, I'm confident we can get the three points."

Victory or a draw would put Town back in second, if only for 24 hours (Brentford, currently higher on goal difference, host fourth-placed Barnsley tomorrow).

And Jackson added: "There's no point in worrying about other teams at this stage.

"We have 10 games to go and we need to win as many of them as we can and let the rest worry about us.

"Our defending had been good before Swansea and Doncaster, and while we at least drew both those games, we could have won both and been four points better off.

"Against Doncaster, both their goals came after our own attacks broke down, and it's no good simply pointing the finger at the back four.

"Good defending starts with the front two and goes back through the side and everyone has a responsibility to close opponents down and get in their tackles."

Keeper Phil Senior looks sure to play his 50th League game, with the defensive partnership of Martin McIntosh and Nathan Clarke remaining as well.