"I am absolutely delighted with the result today and the fact that we returned the compliment after being beaten at home by Preston in August," McCarthy said after the game.
"We were good value today and Andy Keogh is a good player and that is why I dipped into the biscuit barrel and spent the budget.
"Steven Ward as well played well and they were both excellent. We are like a coiled spring and I would like to be in the play-offs and be comfortable but it is two steps forward and one step back at the moment.
"There is not a great deal between the teams in the league."