Two first-half goals kept Oxford United on top of the Division Three table after a narrow 2-1 victory over basement boys Carlisle.
The visitors travelled south with just five points from their 20 league matches, and rarely looked liked adding to that total.
However, their 14th straight league defeat was not confirmed until the final whistle after a Richie Foran penalty 12 minutes from time gave Oxford a huge scare.
The leaders went ahead inside three minutes when Matthew Robinson side-footed home past Carlisle keeper Matt Glennon after a Dean Whitehead cross.
Oxford keeper Andy Woodman was forced to save a Will McDonagh header from close range as Carlisle looked for a way back into the game.
But on the half hour mark, Oxford extended their lead when leading scorer Steve Basham was fouled by Lee Andrews and skipper Andrew Crosby slotted home from the penalty spot.
The second half was a dire affair but came to life largely through the dreadful refereeing of Steve Tanner, from Avon.
Tanner had already shown three undeserved yellow cards, and when Woodman collected a high through ball and collided with Foran, Tanner pointed to the penalty spot and showed Oxford's keeper a yellow card.
Although most people in the stadium could not understand the decision, it did at least set up an exciting finale.
However, Carlisle looked like getting back on level terms as Dean Whitehead twice and Steve Basham should have done better.
Oxford boss Ian Atkins said of the victory: "We struggled to get our rhythm today, but three points is the most important thing and we are still top.
"You have to give credit to Carlisle because they never gave up and we never totally had the game safe.
"The first goal was superbly taken and came after the best move to the game, and when the second went in it looked as though the flood gates may open, but we didn't take our chances and we should have won the game far more convincingly in the end."