Derby boss Nigel Clough praised his side's qualities after they conquered rivals Birmingham 3-2 in a five-goal thriller.
A Conor Sammon brace and a late winner by substitute Nathan Tyson secured the spoils, after the Blues twice came back through a Marlon King penalty and a Peter Lovenkrands header.
"It's about character, determination and it's also honesty as much as anything from the players," Clough said.
"Their honesty is incredible. They never give up, they keep going and keep trying to do the right things. I thought the manner of the third goal was as good as anything.
"It was a brilliant goal, it came from the right, was dotted across and ended with a sidefoot and a tap-in inside the six-yard box, not many goals finish like
that."
Clough was also delighted for Sammon, who had scored only twice in his previous 44 matches.
"He's not renowned for his goalscoring and we didn't bring him in for that but hopefully this will give him a big boost," he added.
"He deserved to get two goals because he led the line brilliantly."
Reports had claimed that O'Neill had offered to quit his post as Sunderland boss following Saturday's 4-2 home defeat by high-flying West Brom.
However, Sky Sports is reporting that the Black Cats have dismissed the speculation and have confirmed that the Northern Irishman remains in charge on Wearside.
O'Neill is approaching his first anniversary as Black Cats boss after signing a three-year contract to replace Steve Bruce at the helm last December.
He enjoyed an immediate impact in guiding Sunderland away from the relegation zone, but has seen his team win just two of their last 20 Premier League games.
The Black Cats were also knocked out of the Capital One Cup at home by local rivals Middlesbrough last month and have won just once in the league in front of their own supporters this season.
Speaking after the loss against West Brom, which saw Sunderland score twice in a game at home for the first time in the Premier League this term, O'Neill was staying upbeat.
He said: "I think there's a lot to take out of the match, a lot to take out of it.
"We have been beaten, but we look as if we can maybe get a goal again now, which is very encouraging.
"We have a big game on Tuesday night against QPR and we will try to get ourselves prepared for that."
Rovers boss McGhee and Bantams chief Parkinson were speaking after an injury-time melee involving players and staff from both teams marred Saturday's League Two clash at the Memorial Stadium.
The dust-up was prompted by a rash challenge from Rovers' Seanan Clucas right in front of the dug-outs, yet he somehow escaped punishment even though he has already been booked.
Referee David Phillips instead dismissed Bradford midfielder Nathan Doyle for retaliation and, after some delay, issued a second yellow to Brown after consulting a linesman and the fourth official.
Rovers boss Mark McGhee said: "If Wayne deserved to go it must have been for something he did in the melee, He isn't the biggest, so perhaps he punched someone in the kneecap!
"Seanan might easily have been punished for the tackle, but we will have to see what the ref says in his report. As things stand, Wayne will miss our next game."
Bradford boss Parkinson was equally mystified. "It was a bad challenge and what my lad has done to be sent off I'm not sure. You always get a reaction to that sort of tackle. I think it was a case of mistaken identity with the Rovers lad, so the ref seemed to get it all wrong."
Vale celebrated coming out of administration with a thumping win over Bristol Rovers on Tuesday and they went six games unbeaten with a comfortable victory over the struggling Shots in Saturday's League Two clash at the Recreation Ground.
And Adams believes his side showed they are not short in the striking department after missing out on Hughes by just minutes on Thursday's loan deadline day - with the Vale boss otherwise occupied.
"It's been a good week. I took my daughter (Stacey) up the aisle and we've come away with the win," he said. "I said in my speech she could have timed it a little better, deadline day, I can't be here there and everywhere but for once the family came first."
Adams added: "You've got to adapt to the conditions and I thought we did that. There wasn't a lot of great football from both sides but we showed a lot of endeavour and we've ground one out and that's the important thing.
"Ben Williamson has done great, whether we start him or he comes off the bench he gets us goals. He's taken his tally for the season to six, obviously strikers are judged on goals and in any other team that would be a fantastic return but we've got Tom (Pope) up there on 20. So he's got a bit more to do."
Ben Williamson put high-flying Vale ahead and while Dani Lopez headed the hosts level, Ryan Burge restored the visitors' advantage soon after the break before a Jennison Myrie-Williams penalty settled matters in the League Two clash at the Recreation Ground.
"I think we can come away with a lot of positive things," said the Shots boss. "In the first half I thought we were fantastic.
"We came up against a very clinical side in Port Vale, who are a danger, but we matched them in the first half. We're happy with the team, they have strong character but I think there were some key moments in the game which went against us.
"Danny (Hylton) has said the goalkeeper (Chris Neal) has pushed him in the area and you can't raise your hands. But the referee hasn't seen it and we have to get on with it. It's those kinds of decisions which are going against us at the moment.
"Another key moment is the second goal, which we were very disappointed to concede. We should have defended it better. I didn't think the penalty was a penalty either."
