The Barnsley boss was proud to see his side 'find a way' in last night's closely-contested South Yorkshire derby.
In a typical derby clash, with bodies on the line, chances galore and a packed Oakwell crowd, there was always going to be key moments - and when Michael Duff made his substitutions with 20 or so minutes remaining, he got the requisite response.
"It was a typical derby," Duff admitted. "It wasn't pretty at times, both teams going hammer and tongs. But we've come out of it on the right side so it's pleasing, we're really pleased with our performance."
Coming out of the blocks so quickly, as the Reds have done with real regularity this season, the gaffer believes that actually worked against his side.
Two goals to the good inside the opening 15 minutes, he reckoned that - naturally - the Reds began to go on the defensive.
"We went into self-preservation mode. I get it. The players are human beings. You get that lead, you want to protect it. But they've started throwing ball after ball into the box, great delivery, it's become really direct - we've stood up well - and I always felt we'd get chances on the counter.
"We're young, it's a youthful group. We knew we'd get oppprtunities in the last 20 minutes. The energy we have; we get at teams late. I'm happy for the players but also, hats off to our support because that feeling at the end, it was amazing for everyone at the club - this is nine months in the making."
Watch Michael's post-match interview in full on iFollow Barnsley.
