David Healy insisted the result trumped the performance as Linfield returned to the top of the Danske Bank Premiership table with Saturday's 1-0 win over Portadown.
Although the Blues dominated, they had to settle for a first half strike from Chris McKee - although the on loan Rangers striker's shot may have ricocheted off Michael Ruddy - at Windsor Park.
“We got the job done and that was the important thing,” said Healy after the league champions leapfrogged Glentoran at the league summit on goal difference.
“I watched Portadown lose their derby game (with Glenavon) last week and it was a performance that would have stung the manager and the players.
“I knew we couldn’t take anything for granted and we didn’t.
"We started the game really well, we had some good passage of play, but we have got those little nagging doubts about going and getting a second goal at the minute.
“Some of our play certainly warranted more goals, but the most important thing was getting the points.
"I told the players I don’t care how they get the points, but that was what I was after.”
Although it was all one-way traffic, chances were at a premium as the Blues probed and taunted an overworked visiting defence. The tricky Jordan Stewart picked out McKee only to see his effort flash across the face of the goal.
But he had better luck 12 minutes later. Chris Shields sent Jake Hastie free on the left, and when he drilled in a low cross McKee got in before goalkeeper Jethren Barr and defender Ruddy to slide home.
The Blues almost struck again on 32 minutes.
Skipper Jamie Mulgrew, making his 661st appearance for the Big Two giants, nudging him ahead of club legend Tommy Dickson - was hauled down by Adam McCallum.
And when January signing Eetu Vertainen took on the responsibility of hitting the free kick, his 30-yard effort crashed through the defensive wall and into the arms of Barr.
Stewart should have had the Blues out of sight just after the restart after twisting and turning away from two defenders, but he lashed his shot over the top.
Steven Fallon then headed a chance wide before Vertainen produced a wonderful piece of skill to create a chance for Fallon, whose blistering drive was brilliantly saved by Barr.
The Blues almost grabbed a killer second goal in the last minute when substitute Ahmed Salam’s corner kick fell to Jimmy Callacher at the back post, but he could only scoop the ball on to the crossbar.
Ports boss Paul Doolin said: “I was happy with our performance, particularly in the second half, but our season will not be defined of what happens at Windsor Park. We can certainly build on the display.”
