Barnsley grabbed a crucial if rather unconvincing victory over fellow second division strugglers Port Vale at Oakwell.
Full back Paul Gibbs was the unlikely hero as he smashed home his first goal for the club from the penalty spot.
The spot kick had been awarded 11 minutes from time when midfielder Kevin Betsy went down in the box under a challenge from Sam Collins.
Referee George Cain immediately pointed to the spot and despite fierce protests Gibbs strode up to beak keeper Mark Goodlad and earn his side three much needed points.
Barnsley had started well and after Dean Gorre and Bruce Dyer had gone close the home side made the breakthrough after 12 minutes.
Gorre was again involved, his near post corner being superbly headed home by New Zealand striker Rory Fallon.
But visitors Port Vale came back strongly and for the rest of the half were the better side.
After 21 minutes the lively Steve McPhee produced a great run to leave the Barnsley defence stranded but he could not apply the finish, side footing wide of the far post with only keeper Andy Marriott to beat.
But McPhee was involved in the move that led to a 43rd minute leveller.
He broke away down the right and his low cross into the box was heading for midfielder Marc Bridge-Wilkinson but home defender Brian O'Callaghan, trying to intercept, deflected the ball into his own net.
Barnsley cranked up the pressure in the second half and were denied what looked like a penalty in the 53rd minute when Gorre was sent tumbling.
Three minutes later Fallon missed a sitter, volleying over from eight yards.
But Gibbs came to the rescue with his fierce spot kick and it could have been even worse for Vale, with Mike Flynn's 85th minute header looking to have crossed the line but play being waved on.