SCOTT Parker hailed his side's defensive record, after Cherries notched up a sixth successive Championship clean sheet on the road - a new club record.

Parker's charges moved six points clear at the top of the table with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Stoke City, thanks to Dominic Solanke's second-half strike.

Mark Travers was rarely called into action on the evening, although his goal did live a charmed life when Jordan Thompson struck the post.

During the contest, Cherries moved past the 500-minute mark without conceding on the road in the second tier.

It is now six clean sheets on the road in succession, with shutouts at Birmingham, Hull, Cardiff, Peterborough and Bristol City before the trip to bet365 Stadium.

Cherries have conceded just once away from home in the Championship all season – during the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest back in August, when Scott McKenna headed in.

"Obviously that’s no mean feat, six clean sheets away from home," said Parker.

"The team first and foremost, every player, we build our team on a solid foundation defensively. Work-rate, desire as a team and ultimately I think you see that tonight to be fair.

"We played against a good side tonight. We knew it was going to be a tough game and first half I thought we really nullified them in terms of our press.

"I thought we were very, very good.

"Our intensity, our structure about us and second half I asked the team to go out and start the second half and really try and put a stamp on it and come out with a real intensity about us.

"I thought we did that very well, got our nose in front. And then had to show that side to us that I think we’re starting to get used to seeing really, that we can grind it out, we can put bodies on the line, we’ve got a desperation about us wanting to keep the ball out the net. It’s a good habit to have."

Boss Parker added: "For large parts I thought we did very well. The front three engaged their back three. I thought Philip Billing was very good, a lot of work he’s had to put through in those moments.

"Of course like when you play against any good side, you have an option – that’s to sit off it and you have to suffer a little bit and you let them have the ball, or you go at teams. We’re a team that want to go at teams.

"With that comes, at times, a little bit of risk because when you’re playing against good sides they can pierce you, but the team is drilled to understand at that moment, we get down under the ball and we reset.

"They’re a good side, hence they haven’t lost at home and they’re not going to lose many at home. This was a good side we’ve played today."