David Jeffrey's side beat Ventspils in the Uefa Cup qualifying first round

"I am very proud of my players. They battled right to the very end and played some good football. In the end it was our spirit that saw us through.

"We defended tremendously well although we were a liitle leg weary in the last couple of minutes.

"I'm disappointed we didn't win or draw the game as we had some great chances."

The Blues boss insisted that his team did not come just to defend their one-goal lead.

"We set out our stall to play as we did in the first leg at home. We didn't go gung-ho but took our opportunity when it came.

"There were some outstanding individual performances by my players.

"Alan Mannus made some superb saves, Noel Bailie played a captain's role and William Murphy came in late to replace Andy Hunter.

"Oran Kearney did well in his first big European tie, as did Michael Gault.

"My stomach was doing somersaults in the last few minutes but we did it."