The United boss wasn't entirely satisfied with the performance, but he was delighted with the points.
He told BBC Radio Humberside: "We can play much better than this, but winning games is all that is important at this stage of the season."
"We have always had a belief that we can get out of trouble and survive at Championship level."
He compared his United side to an athlete, suggesting his side need to storm past the finishing line ahead of the rest languishing at the bottom of the table.
"We want to be a little bit like that Olympic runner who comes from behind and finishes strongly to cross the line in first place." he said.
"It was a terrific goal from Martin Paterson, who has had an excellent season for us. There might have been an element of fortune about Jack Cork's winner, but he too has been tremendous for us this season on loan from Chelsea."