ALEX Pike paid tribute to his miserly Hamworthy defence as they earned their eighth clean sheet in 12 Wessex League fixtures in their 0-0 home draw with Gosport.

Although John Waldock had a goal chalked off for offside, Pike was content with a point and admitted Gosport had got their tactics spot on.

Pike said: "John Robson must have watched us because tactically, he got it dead right.

"We have an exceptional unit at the back and they surpassed themselves again.

"Not many teams in the country can boast a defensive record as good as ours.

"But we know we need a striker and I have submitted a seven-day approach for Aaron Lomax of Sherborne."

Pike also maintains he never made any approach for Brockenhurst's new striker Danny Gibbons, despite Badgers assistant boss Chris Collinge insisting he had.

The Hammers boss said: "He can think what he likes. It is not even worth responding to an assistant manager at Brockenhurst."

Hammers: Hutchings, Gilbert, Williams, White, Lockyer, Cann, Gill, Waldock, Edwards, Legg, Orchard. Unused subs: Tilley, Wilson, Dovell, Karanjit, Bedward.