Bury manager Kevin Blackwell was full of praise after his side defeated Portsmouth 2-0 at Gigg Lane.
Adam Lockwood's 18th-minute strike and Steven Schumacher's second-half penalty and was enough for the Shakers to secure their second home league win of the season.
Blackwell said: "I had words at half-time, I wasn't happy, but the response I got out of them was exactly what I wanted.
"I knew we were comfortable for the 1-0, but I also knew they had the quality to finish us off. Second half, we were a different class, we built up pressure and we created chance after chance.
"I am proud of them. I was critical when I came, now I'm full of praise for the players. They are a great set of lads and I'm proud to be their manager."
Blackwell added: "Me and Schumacher had words at half-time, I think he is better than what he was first half. In the second half, I thought he was immense."
