Jimmy Thelin insists Aberdeen’s hard-fought 1-0 win at Livingston was all about character.
The Dons were forced to repel home pressure for long spells either side of the break and had goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov to thank for some crucial saves.
But the visitors came up with the winning moment in the 80th minute when Nicky Devlin headed in Topi Koskinen’s cross at the back post.
It was a fifth win from seven league games for the Pittodrie outfit, who now find themselves just three points behind sixth-placed Falkirk in the William Hill Premiership.
Thelin said: “In the first half Livingston were really good and played with a lot of movement and made it really difficult.
“Livingston did a lot of good things and did really well and created good chances.
“Dimitar (Mitov) made some good saves to help us stay in the game.
“It was important we didn’t get too stressed in that moment.
“We stayed in the game and in the second half we were more stable and balanced.
“When we got our rhythm and made some subs they had more impact on the game.
“They came with a lot of energy and that helped us take the three points.
“It was a difficult game. Livingston played really well but this mentality, we’re building slowly and the team is coming together.”
Thelin, whose team were in Conference League action against Armenian side Noah on Thursday night, added: “It’s not always the best game but we still won and we have to keep improving.
“You have to remember we had a tough start in the league and we are in Europe and have a game every three days.
“It’s to get through this period with as many points as possible and share the responsibility as a team and try to make changes but not too many that we lose connections.
“The players did well. We had a tough game on Thursday then came here and the game starts like it did.
“It shows a lot about the character.”
It was a familiar feeling for Livingston manager David Martindale after watching his team fail to make their pressure count.
The West Lothian outfit – without a win in 12 league games – remain bottom of the table, two points adrift of St Mirren.
Martindale said: “I was really pleased with parts of that performance but I can’t sit here saying the same things and I probably won’t have that opportunity if we keep losing.
“I’m under no illusions. We’re bottom of the table and that falls on me.
“Is it Groundhog Day? 100 per cent, but I can’t keep saying that can I?
“We had a lot of control, a lot of good box entries and good play.
“I’m not going to name players, but it’s one poor decision in a wide area and a man not doing his job in the box – when he was designated the scorer – and switches off and walks outside the box.
“I find it difficult to critique it too much rather than that one moment which leads us to sitting with no points again.”
