Ryan Lowe praised the resilience of his side to get back on top almost instantly after being pegged back by Middlesbrough in the second half of the 2-1 victory.
North End went into the break a goal to the good thanks to a superb strike from Liam Millar in the 23rd minute, but Finn Azaz levelled with an impressive effort of his own.
Boro were equal for just three minutes, though, as Emil Riis scored his sixth goal in as many games against the Riverside outfit to win the game.
Ryan said: “I just said to them in there the resilience they’ve shown is fantastic and we’ve got to keep going.
“We’ve churned it out again and went with the same team. Rob (Robbie Brady) came in for Pottsy (Brad Potts) and there were some tired legs there towards the end.
“They’re a good team Middlesbrough, let’s have that right first and foremost. They’re just not clicking the way Michael [Carrick] would want them to with their interchange and their passing. We had to be tactically astute and the lads were fantastic.
“I’m pleased with the two goals and pleased to score just after they scored. We can’t give a player of Finn Azaz that much time. It’s rocketed through.
“The first goal was fantastic. Liam Millar changed to the other side and we said about coming in off the other side and getting some shots away to score, and then it’s brilliant for Emil to score in front of his own fans.”
With the visitors a goal down at half-time, they came out in the second period as the side on top and broke through in the 57th minute.
North End didn’t let that get to them, though, as just three minutes later Will Keane had a shot deflected right into the path of Riis, who managed to tap home to score in consecutive games.
Asked if it was an important time to score, Ryan said: “It was because they’re a good team and they were on the ascendency.
“Sometimes after they score it can knock the stuffing out of you, that’s why I say about the resilience and the desire and the character of the boys, and the mentality which we’ve looked at sometimes this season.
“They were excellent. I know they dropped a little bit deeper but sometimes you have to pay the opposition a bit of credit. You can’t always drop deep, we know that, but they’ve got good players.
“If we can withstand it then fine. We’ve just got to make sure we’re a bit better with the interchange of their players.
“I could go on all day tactically in terms of how they play and what we did to nullify it, but to score right after they scored was massively pleasing.”
The night was also special due to it being the tenth anniversary of Sir Tom’s passing, and the first team wore limited edition Splash shirts to mark the occasion.
The Finney family were in attendance at the match and were presented with a signed shirt pre-match, and a surfer flag was also carried across the Town End, while there was then applause in the seventh minute.
Asked if the occasion was part of his pre-match message, Ryan said: “I was cautious to say in my pre-match. It was a special occasion for a special person who represented the football club.
“We spoke him about him yesterday, the standing up for him and the rousing reception [was brilliant]. I had to be mindful that I don’t want to take too much away from the lads in terms of the lads with the gameplan they’ve got.
“They were aware of it and the shirt said it all. It was a fantastic occasion and hopefully we’ve done the family and the fans proud.”