Sligo Rovers boss John Russell hailed his team's "hunger" and "togetherness" after their stunning 2-1 victory at Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.
The Bit O'Red still remain second from bottom in the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division despite plundering victory in Tallaght, but morale soared as they atoned for last week's painful 4-1 home loss to Galway United.
The Hoops took the lead in the 11th minute when Sean McHale scored an own goal. It was anticipated a routine home win would follow but Jeannot Esua equalised with 66 minutes gone before Carl McHugh fired in the winner in the seventh minute of injury time to send the travelling fans wild.
"We're delighted with the performance and obviously the result, to win it in the last minute," Russell told RTÉ Sport's John Kenny.
"It's an unbelievable feeling for the group, to come off the back of such a disappointing performance and result against Galway.
"You know, you look at that on Saturday night, you're in a dark place on Sunday, but one thing I'll say about the group, on a Monday morning, we analysed the game, we have a reference point of what we're trying to do, and it was about learning, moving to this game, being brave, come up to Tallaght, get on the ball, and try and press Shamrock Rovers high up the pitch. For large spells we did that."
Russell was especially pleased with his players' appetite for hard graft.
They had to hang tough at times but had the resilience to hold firm before nabbing the winner.
"Look, we had to defend the box second half, but to come from a goal behind and to snatch a winner right at the death, it's a special moment for the group," Russell added.
"That's one thing they've shown, especially the second series of games, that togetherness, hunger to chase back. You look at Will Fitzgerald, 92nd minute on a breakaway, it's an unbelievable recovery and tackle, and that allows us to go on and win the game.
"We had players coming into the second half, Ciaron Harkin coming back from injury, he has to come back off, so we'd to shuffle the pack. We're down a few bodies at the moment, but we're not found wanting for a work rate and energy."
As for McHugh's excellent winner, Russell was left beaming by its quality.
"It was an incredible finish. Jeannot got his first goal for the club tonight, and so did Carl, and they'll both remember them.
"Carl's come in to shore up the defence, but gets himself high up the pitch, and Ryan (O'Kane) puts it on a plate; it's a brilliant first-time finish into the corner.
"We look at the first series of games, we didn't get enough points returned, but some of the performances were good, and that's why we never panic or lose faith. And you look at the second series of games now, a lot of clean sheets, I think it's four wins, we've only lost two games in that round.
"So, loads to work on, but really pleased that we got a win."
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