Bristol Rovers eased their relegation worries with a priceless 1-0 win over Oxford United at The Kassam Stadium.
Oxford completely outplayed them in the first half but they could not maintain the same momentum afterwards and in Bristol's first serious attack Andy Rammell drove in the vital goal after 53 minutes.
A left wing cross was headed on by Adam Barrett to Rammell, a deadline day signing from Wycombe Wanderers who scored twice against Cambridge United on Saturday, and he blasted the ball into the roof of the net.
The goal raised Bristol's chances of keeping out of the bottom two and is a massive blow to Oxford's play-off hopes.
United produced their best 45 minutes off the season at home and swamped the visitor's defence.
Rovers' goalkeeper Scott Howie denied Bob Ford with a magnificent save from the midfielder's fierce drive after two minutes and it was the first of many outstanding saves.
Twice in the 16th minute he denied David Savage, and 15 minutes later when he blocked a close range shot by Andy Scott the striker struck a post from the rebound.
Rovers' hard pressed defence had the ability to get players between the ball and goal and Oxford were further frustrated when three shots were blocked near the goal line and cleared.
Oxford's failure to find the net affected their performance in the second half and Rovers gained in confidence after Rammell's goal.
Chris Llewellyn missed a great chance of scoring a second after 66 minutes. He intercepted a weak headed backpass by Matthew Bound and, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he tamely lobbed the ball into the goalkeeper's hands.
Oxford still created enough chances to have won and Scott missed the best of those 15 minutes from the end. Substitute Jefferson Louis put over a perfect cross from the right and Scott, ten yards out, completely missed the ball.
The defeat left Oxford manager Ian Atkins speechless.
He said: "It was probably our best performance of the season and my only criticism was our failure to score. It was a great performance but at this stage of the season it's results that count." Rovers manager Ray Graydon, a former Oxford winger, was full of praise for Rammel.
He said: "Rammel came here in the twilight of his career, told of the responsibilities I wanted and has scored three goals in two games. It could easily have been five or six."