AYR United have risen to third place in the Scottish Championship after ending a four-match winless run.
Head coach Scott Brown hailed his side's "willingness to defend" as the Honest Men ran out 1-0 winners away to Airdrieonians on Saturday.
It seemed as though United were in for a comfortable afternoon when Mark McKenzie struck his fifth goal of the season just 19 minutes into the fixture.
However, Ayr failed to capitalise on further chances and were left in a challenging position when Marco Rus was shown his second yellow card shortly before the hour mark.
Despite the home side having a man advantage, United held out resolutely to see out the victory and earn their fifth league clean sheet of the campaign.
“In the first half, we deserved to score two or three goals," Brown told Ayr United TV, "but the second half performance was unbelievable.
“The lads' willingness to defend, their quality of defending and putting bodies on the line. I’ve never felt so confident in my life playing against an 11.
“The whole team was exceptional. Liam [Russell] coming in and having a clean sheet, as well, is fantastic for him.
“I’m delighted for Marky [McKenzie] as well. He works so hard, his endeavour, willingness and quality on the ball, he’s getting better every week.”
Brown was delighted by the attitude shown by his players as they "won ugly" in the match.
He added: “I enjoy working with these lads, it’s a great honour to keep working with them and to be part of this.
“When you have to dig in deep, you know they’ve got our back and we’ve got their back. It’s fantastic.
“Sometimes you’ve got to win ugly and we won that game really ugly.”
The win was enough to lift Ayr into third place in the Scottish Championship, ahead of Arbroath by way of goal difference.
United, however, remain 11 points back of St Johnstone in top spot.
Next up for the Honest Men is a break from league action as Brown's side host Turriff United in the Scottish Cup third round.
Kick off at Somerset Park is 3pm on Saturday, November 29.
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