It was grim but effective stuff at Stadium Southland as the Steel showed more composure and greater defensive intensity in a low-scoring game.
The teams combined for just 70 goals, the lowest tally in the competition this season, in a game that veered from mediocre to downright ugly.
The Steel injected some momentum into its faltering season after the bye, but the battling Pulse slumped to an eighth consecutive defeat, and failing to even reach 30 goals suggests a win is still a long way off.
They say the Steel has lost much of its star power - and no doubt the absence of Lesley Rumball, Adine Wilson and Donna Wilkins has been a factor in its form - but it does not lack heart.
Hutton and Coffin, the senior hands in a rejigged squad, were smiling after the game but were grimacing through it as both handled leg injuries.
Hutton's dicky ankle flared up in a pre-game run and she needed every ounce of her toughness to get through four quarters.
The indomitable goal keep made life a misery for the Pulse shooters, who did not get the space to put up more than a few shots each spell.
Coffin had a calf wrapped in layers of bandages but lasted three efficient quarters before being replaced by Wendy Telfer.
The Steel captain said it was a relief to get a home win after two consecutive losses in Invercargill.
"It feels nice.
We were a little bit patchy but overall I'm happy how we went," Coffin said.
"The only thing was that we had a hell of a lot of ball that we threw away.
That's frustrating for players when they pick up some good ball and it gets turned over."
Goal attack Megan Dehn is also under an injury cloud for the Steel.
The Australian shooter went down in a heap with 28sec to go and was later taken to hospital for scans.
Dehn has a severe ankle sprain and her condition will be monitored this week.
Steel coach Robyn Broughton was disappointed her side did not put its foot down earlier.
The Steel rocketed to a 6-0 lead and appeared to be out-classing the Pulse.
Hutton and Katrina Grant were combining beautifully on defence, Erika Burgess, Liana Barrett-Chase and Coffin dominated the mid-court, and Megan Dehn and Jessica Tuki looked comfortable in the circle.
Tuki was a surprise starter, with Daneka Wipiiti having missed a lot of training with tonsilitis.
The young Otago shooter looked at ease and made four of her five shots.
Then the Steel started misfiring.
Tuki and Dehn were called for attacking penalties, the ball went missing in the middle and the Pulse came back.
Wipiiti entered the game and the Steel noticeably lifted.
It eased to an eight-goal lead at half-time and played two quarters of suffocating defence.
Wing defence Burgess poached plenty of ball, and Hutton came into her own in the final quarter.
The win would have given the Steel some confidence as it prepares to play the Melbourne Vixens at home this weekend.
Southern Steel 41 (Megan Dehn 22 goals from 29 attempts, Daneka Wipiiti 15/21, Jessica Tuki 4/5), Central Pulse 29 (Jamilah Gupwell 15/20, Susan Tagicakibau 11/14, Amber Bellringer 3/6).
Quarter scores: 1st, 9-8; 2nd, 21-13; 3rd, 29-21.
