Michael Wimmer hailed the reaction of Motherwell’s players and supporters after Dan Casey volleyed a late winner against Dundee five minutes after the visitors had levelled.
Motherwell led for the bulk of Wimmer’s first game in charge at Fir Park after Casey scored a free header 12 minutes into a first half that the hosts dominated.
Dundee pegged them back after the interval and scored with their first shot on target when Simon Murray converted from close range in the 79th minute.
But the Steelmen quickly got back on top and Casey volleyed home brilliantly from eight yards five minutes later.
Wimmer said: “We say results are not so important and we have to develop the game, but after the game I saw the faces from the guys and they were laughing and believing.
“We played a good first half with very high pressing, with good moments where we start the attack.
“In the second half we dropped deeper, I think because of a little bit of energy and also mindset, and Dundee absolutely deserved the equaliser.
“But I am proud of the guys, the reaction was perfect. You can imagine if you lose six games in a row and you concede the equaliser, normally if you have no character or no confidence you get the head down.
“But together with the stadium, together with the fans, they pushed us. They gave us the feeling that the players need now, support, extra support and the reaction was great.”
Dundee manager Tony Docherty was frustrated that his side could not build on their equaliser.
“It’s a real sore one because our performance level, particularly second half, merited taking something from the game,” he said.
“The goal we scored was richly deserved and I thought we’d go on and win it. A lot of our play was excellent, we carved out chances and got the equaliser.
“But then we don’t defend a second phase from a corner. It feels self-inflicted – at 1-1 we should be going on and winning that game. Instead we come out on the other side.”
Docherty’s side have now lost five consecutive William Hill Premiership games and are only three points above rejuvenated bottom side St Johnstone.
“It is really important we don’t get too caught up in the drama,” he said. “We’ve lost a game we should never lose but there will be games between now and the end of the season where we don’t deserve to win but we win.
“I just need to focus very much on the performance level in the second half. If we perform like that we’ll give ourselves a better chance of winning games.”
