Workington produced one of their best performances of the season to topple in-form Matlock Town at Borough Park, ending six games without a win.
A fully deserved 4-2 victory against a team who topped the form table before kick-off prompted a delighted Mark Fell to say: “Their application, desire, work rate and intensity was the best this season by a mile.
“But we need that sort of performance every week.”
The victory, Reds’ first since late November, left them in 16th position in a congested Premier Division table. They are still just four points above the drop zone but only four points behind eighth placed Hyde United.
Man-of-the-match, Kai Nugent opened the scoring with a cracking goal in the 8th minute then sent over the corner for Jordan Little to head home the second, at the far post, three minutes later.
Matlock reduced the arrears after their first serious attack, a minute before the interval, via a well taken Jake Thompson strike.
Tom Stephenson restored Reds two-goal advantage soon after the restart with another finely crafted team goal but Matlock scored again when substitute, Sam Essien, drove the ball home through a crowded area.
But confident Workington concluded the scoring with the returning Ruben Grewal making sure of the points after netting a superb goal in the 76th minute.
Reds handed a debut to former Carlisle United, Annan Athletic and Lancaster City defender, Charlie Barnes, and he contributed with a flawless performance in a right fullback role.
Reds face two away games this week with a Cumberland Cup quarter-final tie at Carlisle City on Tuesday followed by another crucial league encounter against Whitby Town next Saturday.
