"Lucky Linfield" quipped David Healy when quizzed about the manner of his side's 3-2 win over Glenavon on Tuesday night.
The Blues boss was somewhat tongue-in-cheek after Eetu Vertainen's late strike sealed a comeback win over an impressive Glenavon side at Windsor Park.
At one stage though it looked like it was going to be another night of disappointment for the hosts as a Matthew Fitzpatrick double either side of the break deservedly put the Lurgan Blues in front after Kirk Millar's early opener.
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To their credit though Linfield showed real resilience to draw themselves through Joel Cooper before Vertainen's winner helped lift the mood around Windsor.
Healy admitted there was a sense of relief as the ball hit the net and it would have also disappointed other onlookers from around the Irish League.
"Everybody says that's what Linfield do...lucky Linfield," said the Blues boss.
"I would imagine there were probably a few people thinking Glenavon were going to do us when they saw the score during the game.
"They would have been hugely disappointed with the manner in which Linfield responded.
"It doesn't mean we're going to be doing anything going forward.
"We need to now back up what we did in the last 15 minutes both on Saturday and going forward.
"My job over the last number of years has always been to find a response.
"I would have liked it done in a more satisfactory manner with a more comfortable performance and win, but sometimes you have to hold your hands up and credit the opposition.
"Glenavon had a right go with the changes they made and we were always going to be up against it.
"We were probably fragile. No matter how we have turned things in the last few days the performance always dictates during the game how fragile your body and mind is.
"Credit to the players, they showed incredible courage in the last 15 minutes to go and dig out a crucial three points.
"We'll probably know better down the line how important this result is, but we need to be better going forward."
The next test for Healy and his charges will be the visit of league leaders Larne on Saturday.
The Linfield faithful has called on the Windsor Park faithful to back their team as they bid to reel in the early pacesetters.
"Larne are a good side in good form and I would imagine they will have no fears in coming here," he said.
"I don't think anyone has fears even though the defeat to Glentoran was our first here since we lost to Larne during the split in the season before last.
"We've been on a good run and we need to find that again.
"This place is brilliant to play at when we're going well, but it's also a challenge when it's not going well.
"I'm hoping the supporters turn up on Saturday as we need them to get behind the players and myself to go on and put on a solid winning display."
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