ELGIN City ended a five game losing streak with a crucial 1-0 win at Peterhead which thrilled manager Ross Jack.
The Black and Whites bounced back from losing five goals to Queen's Park in midweek to register their first defensive clean sheet since September.
And Daniel Moore's superb ninth minute strike was enough to give City the win which keeps them right in the hun for the play-offs.
“It's a very important three points and I'm delighted,” Ross said after the match. “It's a huge win and the players played extremely well to get it.
“We knew we would have to battle. It's a derby game and an old fashioned six pointer with a top four place at stake so there was so much to play for and the players rose to the occasion.”
Moore's cracking right foot strike in off the base of the post won the day for the Moray men.
Providing the assist for the goal was Paul Millar, who was handed a rare start in the side and responded with a man of the match display to the delight of his manager.
“Paul was really, really good. He put in a tremendous shift and if we can get that from him every week it would be fantastic. He's such a handful when he plays like that.”
Rory McAllister and Martin Bavidge both missed first half chances for the home team, while Millar and Stuart Leslie forced fine saves out of Peterhead keeper Graeme Smith after the break.
The home side did most of the pressing in the final half hour but solid Elgin defensive work ensured keeper Joe Malin barely had a save to make.”
Both Peterhead and Elgin have now dropped out of the play-offs after Berwick beat Montrose to go fourth.
The shock result of the day was Rangers' 2-1 home defeat to Annan, the first time they have lost at Ibrox in Division 3.
Ally McCoist's men make the trip to Borough Briggs next Saturday, a match City's returning skipper David Niven is relishing.
Niven came back from four games out to star at Peterhead, and he is keen to be fit for the visit of the Glasgow giants.
“The players could sense that with Rangers up next, the win today was important,” Niven said.
“I needed physio all week to get me fit for this game so I was really pleased to come back in and be part of a performance like this.
“I've played four times against Rangers already this season and we've all experienced that now, so we're looking forward to it.”
City: Malin (Morrison 81), Niven, McMullan, Crighton, Duff, Cameron, Gunn, Millar, Leslie, Nicolson, Moore.
