Sligo Rovers manager Gerard Lyttle said his players responded to an unacceptable peformance in Bray by producing a winning mentality in Dalymount Park to beat Bohemians 3-0.
Two David Cawley goals and a Jack Keaney header sent Sligo on the way to a comprehensive win in Dublin, although the scoreline was somewhat harsh on 10-man Bohs.
Asked what was different to the display in Bray which led to plenty of criticism of the Sligo players and management, Lyttle said: "There is only one word for it; mindset. The mindset was excellent tonight. All week there were things we spoke about. We all knew the Bray game was unacceptable.
"We have too many good players in this team to be losing games. That is not being disrespectful to Bray because we all know it's a hard place to go and especially for Sligo Rovers. We had a real desire and winning mentality tonight. Full credit to the lads for that.
"We do a lot of work on set-pieces. We've scored two of them tonight. At the end of the day you can put the set pieces together and plan them but it's up to the boys to execute them and they've done that really well. Jack Keaney getting on the end of one showed great desire and David to get on the second goal. It was ugly but we'll take it."
Lee Lynch made his first appearance for Sligo since joining for a second spell earlier this week. The midfieler produced a good display and was still full of running in the closing minutes despite lacking match sharpness.
Lyttle said it’s a positive sign for his side: "Lee is a player I've been chasing since I came here. I know what he offers. I know the energy levels he has, and the ability as well. He showed it tonight. I don't think he has had a game this year and to play 90 minutes, he can only get better and stronger. I'm thrilled with him.
"Kris Twardek hadn't started a game in a month. Young Liam Kerrigan coming on, showing his ability, for a teenager.
"We're thrilled but we'll not get carried away. We've been here before. The boys are capable of anything if they put their mind to it."
Sligo has been one of the most inconsistent sides in the league and sit just five points above Limerick in the play-off spot, but will be confident of avoiding relegation.
They have the third best record away from home this season, but their home form has been dreadful.
With a semi-final of the EA Sports Cup to come, and the FAI Cup to start, there is still a chance of a positive outcome to their season if momentum can be found.
The Bit o’ Red boss admitted: "That's the challenge and our target. We're capable of it. We've a good, young group and hard work, desire, commitment and belief will bring things.
"I've just said to them that they all deserve a pat on the back tonight because last week they didn't. This week they did. Now we have to carry it through for the rest of the season."
