Cork City manager John Caulfield hailed his side's defensive solidity after they beat Bohemians 1-0 to record a fifth league win in a row on Tuesday night.
The Rebels are four points behind leaders Dundalk, who they host at Turner's Cross next month.
"Conditions were tough but our lads dug in and it was a very good performance," he told RTÉ Sport.
"We dominated really and bar the last minute, Bohs didn't have a shot on goal. When they have Mark Quigley, (Ismahil) Akinade and (Aymen Ben) Mohammed all coming on, that was a tribute to our defence.
"The first half we got a grip of the game but we just didn't open them up. When we went one up early on we totally dominated the second half.
"It's five wins in a row and another clean sheet. It keeps us in tow with Dundalk, who are setting the pace."
Like last week's win over Bray, Cork were goalless at half-time before Garry Buckley's 47th-minute strike broke the deadlock at Dalymount Park.
"We felt at half-time that while there were parts of the play when we were on top that we hadn't created enough," said Caulfield.
"We felt the game would open up a bit and we got a great goal, four or five great passes around the box, Seany (Maguire) did brilliantly to pull it back and Bucks was there to finish.
"Every team, when you're up near the top, they come out and have a cut off you. They're battling very hard.
"Sometimes people may think that you're not starting well but against Bray it was just difficult because they had so many behind the ball."
