Jim Magilton praised his players' resilience after the win at Derby and has challenged them to build on the victory into the new year.

Jon Walters' first-half goal at Pride Park was enough to see Blues end 2008 on a winning note with a fourth away victory of the season.

The three points takes Town back to within six of the Play-Off places and Jim said: "Hopefully we can push on from here into 2009. We've had a few false dawns before but I have belief in my players that we can have say in this division this season.

"The players showed tremendous character and spirit and really worked hard for each other.

"We had to withstand what Derby threw at us but I thought we defended well and at times, we passed the ball well.

"Both sides looked nervy and that probably explains why we gave the ball away in the attacking third too much but I couldn't fault the effort the players put in, I never can."