JORDAN Zemura says keeping a clean sheet at Barnsley serves as a boost for Cherries' backline, adding how it "makes us feel better".

Cherries emerged 1-0 victors at Oakwell on Saturday, thanks to an early Philip Billing header.

In a game lacking in quality, goalkeeper Mark Travers had to be alert to deny the likes of Devante Cole and Callum Styles.

It ended a run of two straight defeats for Scott Parker's men and also served as just a third clean sheet in 12 matches.

Zemura was absent for much of that time due to injury and then Africa Cup of Nations involvement.

But he returned to the team in impressive fashion to shut out the Tykes.

Reflecting on the victory, the Zimbabwe international said: "I think if you had seen us in training (last week), we were all pushing each other, going in for everything from tackles to getting on top of each other because we knew recent results haven’t been the best. But now it’s just something to work on.

"It was a bit disappointing we didn’t get more than one goal. At the end of the game we had to work hard defensively to get the clean sheet.

"But at the end of the day, that’s football. It’s never going to be perfect.

"On another day, the ball falls right in front of Dom and he taps it in, their defenders don’t make as many blocks as they did, so we’re buzzing for the three points and just ready to move on."

Asked how pleased he was by the clean sheet, given the windy conditions at difficult pitch at Oakwell, Zemura added: "Massive, it just helps the back four and makes us feel better.

"I think it was hard because the ball goes up in the air and it was moving.

"The thing is, you just want to get good contact, but sometimes it’s not the best contact and then you’re defending a long throw-in.

"I think we stood up to everything really from free-kicks to long throw-ins, and obviously Travs, safe hands. When we needed him, he was there for us. All in all, I think we defended quite well and happy with a clean sheet."

Cherries return to action in the FA Cup against Boreham Wood on Sunday (6.30pm).