Bradford City ended a reached run of five defeats on the trot with an edgy but priceless win over Crewe.
Ronnie Wallwork bundled home the winner off his chest from close range after 79 minutes to secure a 2-1 win.
It could have been so much easier for the Bantams who squandered several chances to put the game beyond Crewe's reach before a stunning strike by sub Ben Rix levelled the contest in the second half.
But over the whole piece City were worthy winners. The big question is can they build on this victory to escape from the relegation mire. Only time will tell as the next few matches are absolutely crucial for them.
The visitors spent the opening few minutes inside the City half but failed to put the home defence under any threat.
In fact, it was City who created the first chance. Gareth Farrelly almost set himself up with a run inside the box before his path to goal was cut off.
From the resulting corner, Dean Windass saw his low shot blocked. Moments later keeper Clayton Ince was called into action, clutching a looping header from David Wetherall.
Simon Francis knocked Craig Hignett off his stride to send over a cross from the right after 11 minutes. Windass met it firmly but his header went past the post.
City turned up the heat and could well have taken the lead following a fine move.
Wallwork released Andy Gray with a defence splitting pass. The Scottish international allowed the ball to roll across his path and fired a crisp right-foot angled drive from 10 yards. Unfortunately for him, Ince reacted well diving low to make a comfortable stop.
Frankly Crewe were awful offering nothing in attack to unsettle City. Jason Gavin almost gave them a sniff at goal when he miscued a clearance inside his own box but Nico Vaesen spared his blushes to take an easy catch.
After the break City continued to put Crewe on the back foot and they duly got the goal they deserved after 50 minutes thanks to a blunder by Ince.
Danny Cadamarteri launched a deep cross from the left towards the back post. Ince scrambled along his line to get to the ball but he spilled it to give Windass the easiest of chances to knock the ball into the net from close range.
Sub Rix tried his luck with Crewe's first shot of the match after 58 minutes but he thumped his wild effort over the bar.
Farrelly and Gray both fired shots on target before Crewe drew level on 66 minutes with a goal from the top drawer.
City struggled to clear from their box. The ball fell invitingly for Rix 23 yards out. He then struck a magnificent shot that flew past Vaesen into the top left corner.
The truth is they did not deserve that but Bradford only have themselves to blame for letting them off the hook.
Suddenly the game was turned on its head. Now Crewe believed they could take all points.
Hignett almost opened up the City defence with a wicked cross across the face of the goal but Gavin did well to clear.
Then, after 79 minutes City scored their winner. Cadamarteri unleashed a stinging shot into a packed penalty area before Wallwork stuck out his chest to divert the ball past Ince.
Crewe pushed City in the closing stages but the Bantams held out, much to the relief of their fans.