Simon Grayson thought that his players put in a good team performance in claiming all three points at Meadow Lane on Saturday.
The visitors grabbed the only goal of the game through second-half substitute Iain Hume to make it seven points from nine in the space of a week.
Discussing the match after the full-time whistle, Grayson said: “That is a big three points, any game you go into, you have got to earn the right to play, you have got to be disciplined in what you do and I thought we were all them today, we were professional, we played from the shape of the team.
“They threw a team out today which I wasn’t sure how they were going to play given the few injuries and suspensions that they had, but we knew that if we stayed in the game and won individual battles then we would get chances as the game goes on and we have done that today.
“It was good for Iain Hume to get a goal and it was a good team performance and professional performance by us today.
“We have got to make sure that when you come away from home you give the opposition the respect they deserve but also that you are disciplined and when you get opportunities you try and be ruthless.
“We said at half-time just keep the shape of the team, keep moving the ball, because something will happen for us somewhere and that is what happened.
“You can’t be going out and going gung-ho away from home at times because any team can beat you at any given time, so I would use the words ‘professional performance’ today.”
The gaffer made an inspired double substitution on the hour mark when he switched his strike pairing of Kevin Davies and Stuart Beavon for Iain Hume and Joe Garner.
And the Canadian frontman repaid Grayson with the only goal of the game to send the 901 North End fans home elated.
Discussing the double change and the goal, Grayson continued: “It was a great ball from John Welsh and we said to the two wide players that they need to be a little bit more attack minded and get them on the back foot and Scott Laird has gone with a cross-shot and Iain is in the right place at the right time.
“We have said to our strikers that they need to be in and around that 18-yard-box because that is where the opportunities are.
“I contemplated in the last couple of days to start with Joe Garner and Iain because it has been our third game in a week for Kevin Davies and Stuart Beavon and I just went with the settled team to keep the continuity going, but you know full well when you have got players sat on the bench like we have got, they can come on and effect the game and I thought that both of them changed the game.
“I thought they were very lively, industrious, creative and they gave them something to contemplate on the hour when they came on.”
Grayson plans to spend the week allowing his players to recuperate from a tough eight days which has seen them play three matches, however it has been a successful week in the eyes of the gaffer.
“I think the players are due a bit of a rest,” stated the boss.
“Giving the forecast for Monday, it might be difficult for a session, we have a game against Southport on Tuesday night which some players will play in, so it has been a tough week but a successful week.
“Getting seven points out of nine, we would certainly have taken that last week.”