City dominated most of the match in difficult conditions, and City's strong show of character pleased O'Neill, who was particularly impressed with the showing of strikers Gary Twigg and John Baird, who was making his first start for the club.

"I enjoyed getting the three points. It was a tough game, but we knew it was going to be tough in difficult conditions.

"After going a goal behind and having a perfectly good goal chopped off without the advantage being played we were disappointed but we worked our way back into the game and brilliant for Gary Twigg who has been excellent since he came to us.

"I thought he was at a different level today with some of his play, and John Baird as well was excellent for us, those two up front were really good.

"It was a big three points for us on the back of what happened to us last week. Questions were asked of some of the boys character today and they answered those questions so I'm delighted."

Brechin had started the game with an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Twigg, Baird and Michael Paton all starting the game up front as the manager tried to exploit some of Arbroath's defensive frailties, but with Paton set to return to Aberdeen next month O'Neill is looking to try and secure Baird, who is currently on loan from Montrose, permanently in January.

"We can only take Michael on loan for another month as that is all the rules permit us, so it was important to get John Baird when we did," he said.

"He was a player we tried to sign in the summer so we are delighted to get him and hope that it is possible to take him on a more permanent and long term basis in January. I think him and Gary Twigg have a lot of potential as a front two.

"I felt it was important to be positive after the result at Peterhead and that was one of the key reasons we went 4-3-3. I also felt Arbroath are vulnerable at the back especially to pace hence the reason for all three strikers playing. In general I prefer 4-4-2 as the players are more suited to it and are comfortable playing it."

Michael was also keen to praise the travelling support, who were very vocal in their backing of the side throughout the 90 minutes, and said that the optimism which surrounds the team at the moment reflects well on the whole club.

"The support we had on Saturday was great and they were very vocal which the players and I appreciated. I felt we controlled the majority of the game in difficult conditions which did not suit how we would normally play.

"The expectation of the fans is high at the moment which matches that of the players and mine. We believe we have a team to match any in the league despite other clubs having much bigger supports and player budgets. The position we are in is testament to the club as whole."