“I thought it was a very well deserved win.

“I thought we played a lot of good stuff and at times, we were excellent. We started well, we were on the front foot and in the first 10 or 15 minutes, it was one way traffic. Scott Brown did not have a touch, but there was plenty for him to do later on and he made some very good saves.

“We should have got ourselves in front but we failed to do that and then we had to respond to going behind and going down to ten men. It was a long way back from there, a real double whammy.

“The response from the players was very good. To go 2-1 up at half-time gave us something to hold on to and I thought we were comfortable for most of the second half. The third goal, which turned out to be the winner, said everything about the team this afternoon. Our left- back got high up the pitch and has crossed for the right-back to score when we are playing with 10 men. They sensed an opportunity and thankfully we managed to take it and ultimately it gave us the three points.

“I have a brilliant set of boys to work with. I know what they are capable of, it’s just a question of trying to get that every week. We are nine games undefeated in the league and we have had a lot of good wins in those nine games, but today feels a bit more than just three points to be honest. When you go down to ten men for so long, we have had to play well. We have had to play with our heads as well as our hearts today and I thought the players did that.

“I thought the player’s right through from Scott Brown to the front were excellent today.

“We mentioned the supporters to the players before the game and again at half-time and then at the end. We mentioned our own intent, what we want from the season in our remaining games. There are 16 games to go and it is important we try and get as many wins as possible.

“There is always an opponent trying to stop you. It’s not always down to what you do. We had to show our intent from the start and that pleased me. Although our play was not perfect at times, it was encouraging. We were the better team with eleven players and we were the better team with ten men.

“I thought Craig Storie’s contribution was very good. I am not surprised though. We have seen a real improvement in him over the past six or seven weeks. He has given himself the chance to be the player we all know he can be. He has had so many injuries which have knocked him back, time and time again. Recently we have seen a difference in him with his performances in the development team and in how he is training.

“I think the fact he can get through 90 minutes of a first team game, on a heavy pitch with only ten men for much of the game, would suggest just how hard he has worked to get himself to that level of fitness. There has never been any doubt about his ability or temperament. If he can stay fit, we have got a very good player there. Craig and Kenny gave up a real platform in midfield today with their defensive work and the way they always passed the ball forward.

“Scott Brown also did very well. He recognised the performances of Danny were keeping him out and he has had to be patient, so Scott’s professionalism needs to be applauded. To be game ready like he was today says everything about him. You can train hard and you can train well, but to make those reaction saves and to have the composure to come back into the team was impressive.”