Sammy Igoe scored his first Swindon Town goal in over six months as the Wiltshire side ran out 2-1 winners against lowly Brentford at The County Ground.
The Robins became the only one of the top six Division Two promotion contenders to celebrate a victory - their fifth successive win.
But it was an undeserved victory against a plucky Brentford side, now fighting for survival in the relegation zone.
Swindon boss Andy King could not recall Igoe's last goal - it came against Notts County on August 23, 2003 - but reckoned it could be crucial.
"Next Saturday's visit to Plymouth Argyle could be the defining moment of our season," he said. "We didn't play particularly well against Brentford, but they were always going to make it hard after lining up with a defensive formation and trying to hit us on the break." It looked as though Swindon might cruise it after taking a 14th minute lead - but how long that was.
Andy Gurney bundled Swindon in front from a set piece. Brentford failed to deal with an in-swinging corner from Brian Howard and Tommy Mooney got a crucial touch at the far post of a crowded goalmouth to set up Gurney's close range goal.
But Swindon paid the penalty for becoming complacent. They took their foot off the pedal, lost the initiative - and then their lead.
Teenager Ben May, who celebrates his 20th birthday next week, got Brentford's 30th minute equaliser.
But it was a midfield blunder by Gurney which gifted the Bees their goal.
Gurney turned goalscoring hero to defensive villain as he lost possession to Stuart Talbot, who sent May clear to bag the equaliser.
Swindon went completely off the boil and could have fallen behind early in the second half as Brentford, with only one win in 17 matches, began to get a foothold in midfield.
But May shot straight at the keeper Rhys Evans from close range after Talbot had put in a telling cross.
Again, Brentford squandered a great opportunity when outstanding Senegal defender Ibrahim Sonko had got a free header at the far post, but his effort struck a Brentford team-mate with the goal at his mercy.
Brentford were to rue those missed chances.
Swindon substitute Rory Fallon brought an outstanding one-handed save from Stuart Nelson, but with nine minutes left the keeper was beaten at the near post as Igoe fired home Swindon's winner.
"What happened was typical of a struggling side," lamented Brentford boss Wally Downes. “We've been playing OK lately without getting much rub of the green and after we'd missed those second half chances, we paid the penalty."