City earned a point from the goalless draw at The Riverside and, following the six goal thrashing by Cardiff in midweek, the clean sheet against Gordon Strachan's side pleased the City boss.
"The lads showed great work-rate and effort out there and real commitment to the team and we needed that after what happened on Tuesday," Johnson said after the match.
"We worked hard to limit them in the chances department and Bradley Orr did exceptionally well to keep Adam Johnson quiet because he is a real threat, but there was real endeavour through the team.
"I was delighted with that and the fact that everyone concentrated right to the end.
"Maybe we could have created more when it went 11 against 10 but it doesn't always work out like that.
"They are a good side and we have played well against them. It was a good point."