Kendal Town earned a much-needed three points when they beat Ashton Athletic 4-2 at Parkside Road.
A run of poor results had been causing concern and this was perceived as a must-win game against the next-to-bottom side in the North West Counties Premier Division.
They had looked capable of beating League leaders Vauxhall on Saturday only to go down 5-3 at home to two late goals.
But despite a late scare the Mintcakes got over the finish line against Athletic after going into the game second-bottom of the form table.
It looked ominous on eight minutes when Zak Conway worked an opening on the edge of the area before firing home.
But gradually Kendal started to take control after seeing very little possession in the first 15 minutes.
They were boosted by a 17th minute equaliser after Brandon Croskell-Robinsin did well to hold the ball up in the box to find Finley Lynch.
He managed to poke the ball across an inviting goal for Tom Kilifin to apply the finishing touches.
Five minutes later Kendal were in front. A great ball over the top from skipper Rob Wilson found Steve Yawson advancing on goal.
Although he was held up, the ball ran loose to Croskell-Robinson who managed to pass back for Yawson to score.
Rob Parker was close to a third when he got on the end of a Ryan Winder cross but headed wide.
But Kendal did score a third on the stroke of half-time when Croskell-Robinson turned smartly in the box before firing past Joe Smith.
Lynch almost added to Kendal’s lead soon after the re-start but his effort was deflected wide.
Then Croskell-Robinson had a close-range effort blocked by a defender before Kilifin blasted the rebound wide.
A remarkable save by Smith from point blank range somehow kept out a header from Croskell-Robinson while at the other end Nicholson forced Ben Wilcock into a good save low-down when he cracked one at goal from a distance.
On 72 minutes the pressure was back on Kendal when Wilcock had to make another good stop off a sliced clearance by Parker. The follow-up shot hit the post and Max Rogers knocked in the rebound.
Nerves were jangling now on and off the pitch as Kendal’s 3-2 lead looked precarious.
Then on 84 minutes Kendal were two goals ahead again. A brilliant free kick from Winder found the head of Kilifin and he scored his second of the night.
The Mintcakes were able to see it through to the final whistle.
Chairman Michael O’Neill had said before the game the club desperately needed a win to start climbing the table.
“We have a young group of players and I don’t think the League position is a true reflection of the way we have been playing.
“But there is a lot of positives about the place – the ground is looking better, the crowds are up and we are making inroads on the debt.
“We do need to be climbing the League however. We didn’t expect to be nearer the bottom than the top at this stage of the season,” he said.
