Declan Devine says he never lost belief in his Derry City players

Conor Clifford netted twice from the penalty spot after former Blues forward Walter Figueira was fouled inside the area either side of half-time to hand Derry a first league win since August 21st.

After back-to-back defeats to Bohemians and Sligo Rovers during the past seven days Devine praised the character of his players who had been 'hurting' after recent performances.

Devine made five changes to the team which lost to Sligo Rovers last Tuesday and it was a significantly improved display which moved them up one place into sixth in the table ahead of a two week break.

"We were very determined," said Devine. "There's an inner belief in the group. A lot of people might not think that but there is a belief in the group.

"We know how good Walter Figueira is. We know how good Conor Clifford, Conor McCormack and Eoin Toal are. We know how good the players are. "So whenever people were having a go at us during the week, we accepted that. We take it on because we probably deserved it.

"But nobody is jumping for joy here. We picked up three points and we move on now and try to make a big push for the end of the season.

"It was a good performance. I thought we played some very good football. It's two penalties but I think we've been very creative in the game.

We've missed in my opinion a bag load of chances and we've had shots off the line again.

"Hopefully that's the turning point for us. I think the character tonight was excellent."

With three games in the space of seven days Devine felt it was important to freshen up his team and he was delighted for Clifford in particular who grabbed his opportunity with both hands.

"Conor Clifford, you have to know the person," said the City boss. "He's an amazing person, a really good lad. His performance tonight was really good.

"It's been really stop-start for him but the character he showed tonight was excellent. Never mind the penalties, his overall play, his range of passing and ability to get the ball back deserves huge credit.

"The boys have given him a round of applause there because he's such a good person and tonight thankfully he stepped up and delivered.

"At 12'oclock today Eoin Toal wasn't playing because he had a spasm in his back. That epitomized what we were about tonight. People came in and really performed and full credit to them.

"I thought Walter Figueira was outstanding. Conor Clifford has had a real rollercoaster of a ride here. To pop up with the two penalties tonight he deserves huge credit.

"Whenever you have competition for places, as you saw tonight with the five changes, it really helped us. There was good, positive energy.

"It's three points and it's a relief but I think we've got to use it as a starting block to push on and get a couple more wins and see where it takes us.

"We've all been hurting over the last week and the players really responded tonight and full credit to them.

"We earned the win, I thought we played well, we were positive, kept the ball really well."

The pressure was on after a run of four league games without victory as Derry were flirting dangerously with a potential relegation fight but Devine refused to dwell on previous results and hopes the much needed win can act as a springboard.

"I'm not looking back. It's well documented we've had a tough time. We have to try and look forward now. We've two weeks until our next game and we have two really tough games in the space of four days. It gives us an opportunity to get a few boys back. It's a good three points and we dust ourselves down and move on."