Another clean sheet, another three points and another game that had the fans chewing their fingernails until the final whistle.

But a win is a win – and Leicester City will take them this season in whatever shape and size they come.

The only objective is promotion from League One at the first attempt, and Saturday's 1-0 victory against Hartlepool at the Walkers Stadium, was another small step along the road back to the Championship.

It lifted City to fourth in the table, and they will be top tomorrow night if they win their game in hand at Colchester. That match is the first of three in a row away from home, with trips to Huddersfield and Oldham to follow.

It promises to be a spell that will provide a searching examination of City's character, resolve and ability. Manager Nigel Pearson has insisted from the start that all his squad will be needed at some stage if promotion is to be achieved.

City are now moving into a period where that may well be necessary, and the Blue Army can take as much encouragement from the players currently not playing as those who are.

Throw names like Patrick Kisnorbo, Stephen Clemence, Joe Mattock, DJ Campbell, Paul Dickov, Radostin Kishishev and Levi Porter into the mix, and it is easy to see why Pearson believes he has all angles covered with the squad he has assembled.

Such is the depth of it that he was in a position to give ever-present Michael Morrison a well-earned rest against Hartlepool. The young defender had played in all 10 league and cup games, but took a seat on the bench as Jack Hobbs partnered Aleksandar Tunchev in central defence.

It was a seamless change with City again solid at the back to secure their fourth clean sheet in seven league games. Even though Hartlepool impressed with the quality of their football and their attacking ambition, City goalkeeper, David Martin, was never seriously tested. His only save of note was from James Brown late in the game and, when he was beaten by a 24th-minute shot from Michael Nelson, it was cleared off the line by Matt Oakley.

The City skipper had given his side a third-minute lead with a scrambled goal from Lloyd Dyer's cross, and the only disappointment was that the Foxes failed to add to that despite creating plenty of chances.

But the quality of their general play was again impressive with Dyer outstanding on the left-wing.

He has brought a new dimension to City's attacking play, and his electrifying pace frightens even the best of defenders. There is clearly a lot more to come from him yet.

The same can be said of City. They still have a lot left in the tank - and plenty in reserve.