Derby university threes winger Josh Brewin highlighted next week as crucial to staying up after an important 5-3 victory over Wolverhampton firsts.
Despite a late sending off for the manager, the hosts moved three points clear of their opponents at the bottom of the Midlands 4C league.
Brewin saw the victory as crucial to staying up.
He said: “It was a really important game so really happy with the win and that we kept on going.
“If we can get three points against Aston it will give us even more of a gap, so its really important we battle.”
Derby began the game on the front foot and led after five minutes as Bernard Nsiah got the first of his hat-trick with a header from a Sam King cross.
Wolverhampton looked to reply quickly but were denied from close range by a stunning save from Akash Sivakumer in the Derby net.
However, the visitors did get back into with two goals in four minutes.
Wolverhampton number 10 found himself through on goal and slotted home on 24 minutes before the number nine fired in from the edge of the box.
The hosts fought back and were level three minutes later when Connor Dunphy rose high at the back post to head home a Harry Shepard corner.
As half-time loomed Derby re-took the lead with Nsiah getting a second tapping home from a Dunphy flick-on.
The second half began similarly to the first with Nsiah slotting home his hat-trick to give Derby a 4-2 lead on 46 minutes.
The hosts added extra security with a second Dunphy header on 73 minutes.
When asked about the spirit shown in the second half Brewin said: “We went into the dressing room and the manager said we have to keep fighting.”
With the game petering out Wolverhampton pulled one back with the number nine slotting home his second.
The game ended in controversy with the Derby manager sent off for an incident involving one of the opposition players.
Derby will look to continue their push to stay in the British Universities and Colleges Sport competition as they face Aston twos away next week.
