Manager Gary Johnson highlighted the magnificent performance of defensive duo Will Boyle and goalscorer Jamie Grimes as Cheltenham Town defeated Crewe Alexandra 1-0 at the LCI Rail Stadium.
The Robins made it just one defeat in seven games in Sky Bet League Two with Grimes the vital second half scorer.
And Johnson praised their performance - at both ends of the field - as his team moved to within five points of the play-offs.
"I thought our two centre-halves were fantastic," he said. "They get stick sometimes, because when centre halves make mistakes it is normally a goal. But I thought Grimesy and Boyley were magnificent.
"They also did the job at the other end when Boyley set up the goal for Grimesy.
"I am pleased for them because we have worked hard with that back four. They kept us in it with our work rate.
"When it was 1-0 we were all a little bit nervy," he added. "I think we were all nervy: players, management and the fans. But it is a very good result for us.
"Crewe are no mugs and we pinned them in early on and then, when we got the goal, they tried to take the game to us.
"Coming into the festive period we are now five points behind and that is a nice bonus. Now we need a couple of wins to get even closer.
"We got a bit frantic towards the end, but we saw it out. We have got closer to our target and we now look forward."
Johnson also reported potentially positive news over defender Taylor Moore after he was stretchered off in injury time.
"It looks like just a kick," he said. "He is icing it now and hopefully he won't be too far away.
"If we were playing on Tuesday he might be struggling, but I hope the extra few days will see him okay for Coventry."