Dundee United boss Mixu Paatelainen insists his side still believe they can fight their way to Ladbrokes Premiership safety after finally clicking into gear against Kilmarnock.
The Tannadice men had won just two games all season before squaring up to their nearest challengers.
But they put on a devastating first-half show, scoring four goals with the help on impressive youngster Blair Spittal, before eventually going on to claim a 5-1 win.
As well as providing his players with a massive shot in the arm, it cuts their deficit to Killie to 11 points as well as significantly trimming back the Rugby Park side’s lead on goal difference, which now sits at two.
And Paatelainen is adamant his side can pull off the unlikeliest of rescue missions.
The Finn said: “I thought we played with very good intensity, the workrate was unbelievable and we scored goals – that made it easier for us.
“It is only one match but we believe we can get out of this situation. Maybe we’re daft but we do.
“We do have it in us to win matches and we showed that today.”
United now take on bottom-six rivals Partick, Hamilton and Motherwell in their next three league fixtures, though they may be without Coll Donaldson, who suffered a broken nose, for a spell.
“We will keep fighting until it is over,” said Paatelainen.
“Now we turn our eyes to next week against Thistle. We know on our day we can beat them all.”
Spittal was at the heart of everything for the Taysiders.
After Josh Magennis gave the hosts an early let-off with a poor miss, United’s 20-year-old wideman rifled his side in front after eight minutes following brave hold up play from Simon Murray.
Spittal then produced a devastating corner delivery to set-up Mark Durnan for his side’s second on 31 minutes before another of his crosses was allowed to bounce through a crowded box and creep into Killie’s net 10 minutes later.
He was the creator again a minute before half-time as he picked out John Rankin to volley home the fourth.
The long-suffering Tangerines faithful could hardly believe what they were seeing and there was more joy to come when Sean Dillon fired past Jamie MacDonald after 78 minutes.
Magennis headed home from a Craig Slater corner five minutes from time but it was another shocking day from Killie, who have now shipped four goals or more on five occasions this season.
Boss Gary Locke said: “United said it was a cup final but it was a cup final for us as well.
“We had a chance early doors with Josh, he’s got to score.
“After that we were second best all over the pitch. In a game of that magnitude it’s disappointing.
“We were second best today in too many areas of the pitch.
“At this level you have to win your individual battles and credit to United – they won everything.”
Locke admitted he now needs to strengthen in the transfer market or risk seeing his side sucked into a demotion dog fight.
“We can’t afford to be like this again,” he confessed.
“We need a couple of players because we are light in certain areas.
“We need a bit of experience, a couple of leaders on the pitch. But that’s not an excuse.”