IRISH LEAGUE: Deery happy to finally see off rivals Dergview

However he did concede that they were fortunate to be all square at the break, after Richard Clarke’s side missed a host of clear cut opportunities.

“It was one of those strange first halves,” admitted Deery.

“A load of long balls caused us bother and I had to speak to the back four about it. They were just driving balls down the middle and there were too many gaps in our defence and they were getting in.

“We scored a great goal, with seven or eight passes, with the type of quality I have been crying out for every week.”

Goalkeeper Marty Gallagher’s display particularly in the first half was superb; this year the goalkeeper has been second to none, with goalkeeping coach Ally Pomeroy, one of the big reasons why he has found top form this campaign.

“Marty (Gallagher) has made one or two great saves. In the game there wasn’t a whole lot but in terms of chances, we were fortunate to go in level,” added Deery.

“Marty has been super all season for us and in my opinion he’s the best keeper in the league. Ally has come in this season and his one on one coaching has certainly brought out the best in him.”

Deery felt his team and defence in particular weren’t at their best in the first half but he didn’t go banana’s at the break, he just did change a few things around.

“It’s more trying to organise them a bit more,” he added.

“We were a wee bit disjointed and all over the place so they had to organise themselves, and that’s what they did. They didn’t go challenging for headers and the full backs stayed in and protected the centre halves a bit more.

“When you know a team is going to go long against you, just drop a bit deeper and ask your midfield to drop and help you as well.

“After we got back into the game and equalised you could see that they were hurting a wee bit.

“We have been behind a few times and manage to fight back and I think that crept into their heads and we definitely deserved to win it then in the first half.”

The ’Stute gaffer, who at his fifth time of trying finally got a victory over rivals Dergview, was delighted to get three points in their first game after the split and he now wants his players to get a bit of momemtum going.

However he knows it will be difficult against leaders Warrenpoint Town next weekend.

“It’s a great victory no matter who it’s against,” he said. “I just felt going into this split that we needed a win straight away.

“We have to keep moving on now. We wanted to move seven ahead of Dergview and put ourselves in a three horse race so we’re happy with that.

“It’s ourselves, Ballyclare and Warrenpoint and we’re determined to finish as high as we can in the table and be in the playoff for second and third.”