Manager Michael Flynn hailed Newport County AFC's Sky Bet League Two victory over Grimsby Town as the best of the season.
Nicky Maynard struck a debut goal in the second half to help the Exiles, who saw Scot Bennett dismissed eight minutes before the half-time interval, bring their eight-game winless run to an end.
The result put County's promotion right back on track having not won since the reverse fixture against the Mariners - nearly two months ago - on December 8.
And Flynn says his troops' battling spirit after going down 10 men ensured it was County's most impressive victory of the campaign.
"For me it was probably the best win of the season," said Flynn.
"I feared the worst when we went down to 10 for the fourth game in five, which is not good enough.
"I wasn’t very confident, but I don’t mind being honest about that. As soon as the red card happened you start fearing the worst."
Bennett's dismissal was the fourth County have suffered in five league games after Josh Sheehan saw red against Salford City, while Joss Labadie and Liam Shephard were given their marching orders against Oldham Athletic and Harrogate Town respectively.
They have proved to be costly in the Exiles' recent outings, with County picking up a solitary point from the three fixtures, but Flynn's men held firm against the Mariners to secure the victory.
"We are giving referees the chance to give them and we need to learn quickly, because we are not always going to get away with it.
"The red cards have all gone to experienced players in Liam, Josh, Joss and Scot, who should know better.
"One or two might be harsh, but don’t give the referee an opportunity."
Defender Priestley Farquharson and striker Maynard both impressed on their first outings for the Exiles, with the latter displaying a poacher's instinct with his only chance of note.
"That’s why I wanted him, for those kinds of moments," said Flynn on his final addition of the transfer window.
"With the pitch as it is, there will be fewer chances at the beginning of the season, it’s not going to be pretty and if we get an opportunity I want it to fall to Nicky Maynard.
"Priestley Farquharson coming on at half-time was immense - he was faultless. We had to go a little bit more physical with Ash coming off and he has got a lot of pace as well."