Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton said that the “effort and desire” of his players to get a result against Crusaders must be applauded.
Joe Gormley scored what proved to be the winner with a well-taken first half finish, with the Reds forced to defend deep in the second half to hang on for the win.
Magilton was delighted with the grit shown to grind out a third successive league win.
“Credit to Crusaders they really forced the issue, we had to defend for our lives, we had character and resilience, and I’m delighted with the three points,” he told BBC Sport NI.
Magilton was however, frustrated that Cliftonville squandered numerous opportunities to put the game to bed.
“If we had taken one or two of our chances it might have been an easier night,” he added.
“I knew Crusaders would provide a real attacking threat but some of our play was really pleasing, we just didn’t take our chances.”
He also conceded that whilst results have improved after a seven-game winless run, he still demands a better performance.
“I’d like more control in the game overall, we were a little bit erratic towards the end, but you have to credit the opposition, they went for it.”
The Reds boss reserved special praise for Gormley, who netted his seventh goal of the season in his 499th game for the club.
“He’s special because he has this incredible knack of scoring goals and that you can’t coach.
“H is one of the most outstanding finishers I have worked with, inside the box, you don’t expect him to miss and if he does you are shocked,” he continued.
“Five hundred games for any player at any club is a remarkable achievement and he is an incredible person too.”