Sophie Mclean says Tottenham underlined their determination to maintain their unbeaten run after the Lilywhites passed their biggest test of the season so far, triumphing away against title rivals Coventry United.

Renee Hector’s 44th-minute header secured a 1-0 victory as Spurs racked up their 13th victory from their 14 games in all competitions this season – the other being a draw in early October – and moved three points ahead of their hosts, who suffered their first league defeat of the campaign.

Karen Hills’ side are only trailing league leaders Cardiff City by a single strike on goal difference, and versatile attacking midfielder Mclean feels the latest victory shows that she and her team-mates are fully capable of extending their undefeated run for the foreseeable future.

“From our performance you could tell how much we wanted the win,” she said. “Hopefully we can stay unbeaten for as long as possible.

“We started off a bit slow – they were attacking us quite a bit – but then we settled into the game and started playing our football, which got us the goal.

“It was a very fast game, something we’ve perhaps not been used to this season because we’ve been on top of teams most of the time.

“Once we settled we started popping the ball around a lot more, and I think every player did really well.”

Hector, Josie Green and Leah Rawle all made crucial tackles to maintain Spurs’ slender lead, and Mclean said: “We worked so well as a team. Everyone dropped back behind the ball to defend our lead when we needed to.

Maya [Vio] came on to sit in front of the defence with Josie, and when we didn’t have the ball Ri (Riana Soobadoo) and I tucked in, which helped us in staying compact and keeping the ball away from our net – which worked.

“The players who came on played their part – Maya did really well, Chez (Cheryl Williams) literally ran from ball to ball and played really well.

“We’ve got a lot of players who can’t play at the minute like Leggy (Katie O’Leary) and Shannon [Moloney] – we can’t wait to get them back – but we’ve got a big squad this year and everyone’s fighting for their place.”

Centre-back Hector added: “I think our performance proved we have the quality, depth and desire to overcome anything in this league, all the way from the players to the coaching staff.

“To score the goal that won the game was indescribable. Everything I do on the pitch is for my team, so to do that for them and see them all so happy makes me very proud.”

Spurs visit Leyton Orient this Sunday for a Capital Women’s Senior Cup tie, which kicks off at Mile End Park Stadium at 1pm.

The Lilywhites then return to league action on November 27, visiting a Swindon Town side that have lost nine of their 11 matches in the division so far.