Port Vale did their relegation battle a power of good with a fighting 1-1 draw in the local derby at Crewe.
Neil Brisco's stunning header in the 73rd minute cancelled out Neil Sorvel's opener for the Railwayman seven minutes after the break.
Crewe boss Dario Gradi was left ruing more dropped points at the Alexandra Stadium as his side had to without injured leading scorer Rob Hulse.
But Brian Horton's men were industrious and spirited and played as if they were buoyed by the good news off the field at Thursday's creditors meeting, in which new owners for the cash-strapped North Staffordshire club were announced.
Fans group Valiant 2001 are set to take over after three months in administration.
And Vale's display on the pitch will also have injected hope they can get Horton's target of another 11 points from nine to avoid the drop into the Third Division.
Crewe edged in front after a disappointing first half when Dave Brammer thrashed a right-footer from the edge of the box, which Vale keeper Dean Delaney parried into a sea of red shirts. Dean Ashton tried first to turn the ball home, but when his effort was blocked, Sorvel pounced to fire home a rare goal from close range.
Ian Brightwell responded immediately when he snatched a loose ball and rifled a 20-yarder into Clayton Ince's midriff and loan defender Peter Clarke rapped the underside of the bar with a header from a corner.
The Valiants grabbed a deserved equaliser when Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's deep cross from the right flank was met by Brisco, who directed a powerful header over Ince into the far corner.
Vale earned the first-half honours with Stephen Brooker having his shot turned off the line by Chris McCready and Steve McPhee seeing a goalbound effort deflected wide by former Vale man Brammer.