Jim Goodwin praised his Dundee United players for the resilience they showed in bouncing back from having a goal chalked off before going on to win 3-2 against Aberdeen at Tannadice.
The Terrors opened the scoring through Zidane Iqbal, with Nesta Guinness-Walker equalising for the Dons before Dylan Tait gave United the lead once more.
Connor Ronan drew Aberdeen level after the break but Zac Sapsford looked like he had edged United in front again, only to have the goal ruled out after a VAR intervention for Daniel Bennie being in an offside position in front of Dons keeper Marius Muller.
However, Sapsford had the final say, scoring what proved to be the winner shortly after to secure all three points.
Delighted United boss Goodwin said: “Zac’s movement is excellent, it’s a brilliant header to win it.
“The reason the ref was called to the monitor was it was a subjective decision, some will give it and others won’t.
“Me being biased, I don’t think the goalkeeper was saving it and I don’t think Daniel could have done anything else.
“It’s pleasing to come back from that disappointment to win. I thought it was a terrific game and both sets of players deserve credit. Conditions were tough but there was real quality from both teams.
“Aberdeen will be disappointed to not take a point but credit goes to my players for the way they dug deep. We looked really dangerous on the counter attack.
“To suffer the disappointment of getting the goal chalked off and then still go on to score and win it showed great resilience.”
Disappointed Dons boss Stephen Robinson held his hand up to take the blame for the defeat, but praised his players for the effort they put in.
Robinson revealed his squad, which had been hit hard by a virus, had suffered injuries in the build-up to the game with Lewis Mayo ruled out for two months with a stress fracture while Mats Knoester has damaged a thigh.
Robinson said: “I’m proud of the effort those boys gave on that pitch. We were decimated at the back with three centre-halves missing as well.
“Of course we were disappointed with the goals, really disappointed.
“I thought we were in total control of the game when we scored to make it 2-2, but that’s my fault because it was a bit cavalier.
“We maybe should have managed the game better, but ultimately I have to take the blame for that.
“Obviously, in the last 10 minutes the boys were absolutely struggling. Those boys on the bench shouldn’t have been on the bench as well, so it’s hard to ask a lot more from them.
“I think I named the team three times from Thursday onwards and then we had to make another late change.
“It happens, it’s life, it goes about and the boys that didn’t play literally couldn’t get out of bed.”
