Luke Beckett scored a hat-trick for Stockport County as they deservedly took the points at home to Northampton Town.
Beckett, who has already scored an impressive 17 league goals this season, was on target in the 22nd and 46th minutes and then on the hour mark to guide his side five places up the table.
Former Blackburn Rovers striker Ben Burgess then finished off a brilliant performance by Carlton Palmer's team with a wonderful right-footed curler from a dead-ball situation.
Northampton had good chances through Jamie Forrester and second-half sub Greg Lincoln, but Lee Jones, under pressure at County with the arrival of new Australian goalkeeper Brad Jones, produced two excellent saves to deny the visitors.
But it was Beckett who guided his side to a much needed win after County had made all the early running.
Beckett's first came after a smart flick by Burgess who put his fellow strike partner through with a delightful ball and the Sheffield-born forward made no mistake in finding a way round Northampton goalkeeper Glyn Thompson and firing home.
Northampton pushed for a consolation, but it always looked unlikely with just four goalbound chances in a miserable evening for Kevan Broadhurst's team.
Broadhurst admitted afterwards that his side had under-performed and that he was worried about his position as manager of the struggling Midlands club.
Broadhurst said: "I understand my position and the disappointment of everybody and I expect to come under increasing pressure to sort it out." Beckett's second came one minute into the second half as he headed home a fizzing ball from the right from Ali Gibb and then completed a wonderful show to bag his third with half an hour remaining.
Midfielder Keith Briggs slotted an inch-perfect ball to Burgess, who again sent Beckett through on goal to round Thompson for a second time and slot home to the delight of the home crowd.