Sheffield Wednesday boss Jos Luhukay has praised his side after they recorded a goalless draw with neighbours Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
The Owls spent the final quarter of the game on Friday night with 10 men after Glenn Loovens was given a red card, but Luhukay ended the night with a point from his first match in charge of the club.
Luhukay has acknowledged that it had been "very hard" to battle away for a point, but the new manager is taking the positives from an improved performance.
The 54-year-old is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: "I enjoyed it, I am very happy to be here. The game was very hard but I must give my team a compliment and I have respect for the fight they gave me for 90 minutes.
"The last 25 minutes was not so easy but the team were good after the red card, they did a very good job. At the end we had two good chances and we could have won it - the goalkeeper had fantastic reflexes.
"It was the first match for me as manager of Wednesday and I am happy we can get a draw, it's the first step to get to a better situation for the team."
Luhukay will sit in the Hillsborough dugout for the first time in midweek when Wednesday host Carlisle United in their FA Cup third-round replay.
Darren Plant
