Jim Goodwin insists Dundee United proved they have the guts required to beat the drop by fighting back to claim a point at Livingston.
The Tannadice side ended a dismal run of seven straight defeats after being transformed after the interval on the back of a poor first half display. But Goodwin was adamant he saw enough from his side in the second 45 minutes to believe they can climb towards safety after moving within three points of second bottom Kilmarnock.
He said: "We showed we have the fighting characteristics that we need in a relegation battle. The only way we get ourselves out of this is to show guts and character and that's what I saw. It's also crucial we showed the supporters that we have that fight. I'm satisfied that we've managed to put a stop to the run of defeats, that was really important tonight. This is a notoriously difficult place for any team to come to.
"I thought that for the last hour we were the better team after we started the game very poorly. I've got to take my fair share of the blame for that as well as the system wasn't working. But the players showed the exact characteristics you need when you are in a relegation dogfight.
"When it goes 1-0 to Livingston some teams would crumble but the boys stuck together. I'm being honest, I thought the draw was a fair result."
Lions boss David Martindale had little complaint about taking a point but he believes a first-half flashpoint involving an already booked Kieran Freeman who pulled back Cristian Montano could have been one of several possible Dundee United red cards which weren't dished out.
He said: "We probably have to capitalise a bit more in the first half, but I think there was a big moment with the double yellow card. I feel a wee bit aggrieved. If that’s a Livingston player? I don’t know. We’ve been tarnished lately. That’s a double yellow card but we don’t get it.
"Then I thought there was another two big moments, a huge moment with the tackle on Scott Pittman. There was also one on Luiyi de Lucas. The disappointing thing for me is the referee hasn’t had an opportunity to go and look at the monitor.
"We’ve got the technology now. The referee’s not always going to make the right decision in real time, but with the use of technology I think he can arrive at a better decision. The one on De Lucas, and especially the one on Pittman, I’m astounded both came out yellow cards and the referee wasn’t asked to go to the monitor."
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