Sean Dyche has admitted that he is "pleased and proud" of his Nottingham Forest players despite conceding late on to draw 2-2 with Manchester United on Saturday.
In a game that was dominated by controversial and, in some instances, wrong officiating decisions, Forest came from behind to lead for almost the entire second half, thanks to two goals in two minutes from Morgan Gibbs-White and Nicolò Savona early in the second period.
But when Amad Diallo struck a sensational volley from the edge of the box past Matz Sels in the 81st minute to square the game, the focus shifted to survival.
A first Premier League win of Dyche's tenure was not to be on Saturday, but, coming off the back of a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth, the former Everton boss revealed pride at his side's improved performance.
"I was pleased and proud of the players' performance," he revealed. "To come out of the Bournemouth game, which was a flat one, and come here, at home with the fans here and the noise of the fans and all that, you've got to deliver.
"And I thought we did for the most part. In the first half, more with the ball and trying to open them up and then the second half, more on a containing basis, and I'm okay with that because there was a bit of nervousness, 'can we get that first Premier League win [under Dyche]?'
"So it's hard to keep playing free and open when they're just edgy a bit, but they would be because we're searching for that big win.
"But defensively, I thought we were really strong. I don't think they opened us up much; they didn't have many big chances.
And then, unfortunately, the lad [Diallo] hits one great strike."