Perspiration over inspiration now for maverick ex-Rangers player in Irish League manager dugout
Lee Feeney’s playing career was praised as a canvas for the maverick magician but now, as Bangor boss, he delights in collective perspiration over individual inspiration.
Battling back from conceding early to Glenavon’s Jack Malone, Bangor claimed control off a Ben Arthurs brace before squad strength cemented that slender 2-1 advantage.
It was a display of guts towards glory – one which Feeney relished after the relief of the final whistle.
"That was the type of defending that you need to do to win three points,” said the Bangor manager. "I love them...we've done it earlier in the season against Coleraine (October's 2-1 win) down to 10 men.
"We had to defend for most of the game and we enjoyed it.
"We've got players there and, I've always said it, we're a decent team out of possession...delighted with three points.
"I thought the first half we did probably shade it and deserve to be maybe 2-1 up but the second half they came out an absolute different machine.
"And from the first minute to the last minute of the second half Glenavon just dominated it.
"But, saying that, I think we had probably the best chance of the game when Ben (Arthurs) missed it and hit it to the keeper.
"We had to just defend, defend, defend...I don't mind that, I enjoy that.
"I said at half-time, if we're going to try and get three points here we're going to have to suffer at times...we held on.
"The first 15 minutes, when they got the goal they were on top.
"Then we changed it a wee bit, went to two strikers and stopped them switching the ball and handled it a wee bit better.
"I felt then we grew into the game.
"We knew it was a different second half and we were just glad we hung on.
"That's a big win for us....a big, big win.
"There's teams going to come here and lose points, there's no doubt about it.
"We've lost games where I didn't think we deserved to lose...fine margins all season apart from the Ballymena game (August's 4-0 loss).
"We've always competed and we've felt that if we could turn losses into draws and draws into wins then it would be better.
"And I think today we turned a draw into a win."
Even within Arthurs’ match-winning two-goal contribution, Feeney put his spotlight on the unseen hard yards.
"Big Ben, he worked his socks off all day,” said Feeney. "He's asked to do a lot in our team...get back for set-plays and chase balls in the corners, he puts a shift in.
"I'm delighted he got the two goals there because I was challenging him to try and get double figures before Christmas, in the league I think he's on nine now...so good on him.
"I thought the second goal was brilliant, he headed it down and did everything asked of a centre-forward.
"I thought it was good build-up play - 'Cush' (Ben Cushnie) to Mick (Michael Morgan) to Ben (Arthurs)...three forwards, so delighted for everybody.
I really, really am chuffed."