Chris Eagles' late goal ensured Port Vale will take their relegation fight to the last day of the season as the Valiants claimed a vital 1-0 Sky Bet League One win at Walsall.
Needing a victory to keep alive realistic hopes of staying up, Vale lived on the edge as Walsall hit the woodwork and came close on several occasions.
But Eagles lashed a stunning strike into the top corner from 20 yards five minutes from time to hand Vale a timely first away win since October.
They can now survive with a win at promotion-hunting Fleetwood on Sunday but still need results involving relegation rivals Gillingham, Bury and Shrewsbury to go their way too.
Walsall controlled the first half as Kieron Morris hit the bar from 20 yards on 24 minutes and Vale keeper Leonardo Fasan tipped James O'Connor's close-range header over.
Fasan kept Vale in it with another fingertip save to foil Amadou Bakayoko's attempted lob on the hour mark.
And after Sam Foley wasted a golden Vale chance by heading wide from six yards, Eagles unleashed an 85th-minute screamer to keep the Valiants alive.