Head coach Thomas Frank identified Brentford's bravery under pressure as the reason for their 1-0 basement-battle win over Bolton.
But he insisted the Bees' first win in seven must be followed by more strong performances if his young side are to turn the corner.
"One of the most difficult things in life is when you put a lot of work into things and don't get the reward, but today the players, staff and fans believed, stuck together and worked hard and got what they deserved," he said.
"We knew this was a final today because we could see there weren't many points between us and the relegation area. No one said it but we knew and we stayed focused to get the win we deserved."
Frank's Brentford have now taken seven points from a possible 33 thanks to Neal Maupay's winner, and he insists there is much more to come from his young squad.
He said: "It was a solid performance. We know we have more, but sometimes you need that win to push you on to get there.
"We showed today with people throwing themselves in the way, making blocks and Daniel Bentley punching clear at the end that the desire is there at the back to keep clean sheets, but I would like to see a little more from us offensively."
He admitted it would have been a "horror story" if Bolton goalkeeper Ben Alnwick's late header had levelled the scores
"The win will give us momentum and if we can take a good performance to Bristol City we will give ourselves a good chance of getting something," said Frank.
"Seeing the players after the win reminds us why we love this game so much and why losing is so annoying. It's a good habit we want to keep."
Proud Bolton boss Phil Parkinson said a "moment of quality" from Bees' top scorer Maupay was the only difference between the sides.
"It was a very tight game with very little in it. The quality of cross or desire in the six-yard box was not quite there to get us a goal but we've been in so many tight games," he said.
"Brentford started better but we grew into the first half and got some good crosses in, but in the second half one moment of quality separates the teams."
But he heaped praise on his side's resilience, adding: "Our lads never give in and you have to give credit for that on this run. Not for one moment do I question this group for their character, endeavour and desire.
"We kept going and just need a moment in a game to give us a lift which we're not getting at the moment. Hopefully we can put that right on Boxing Day."
He added: "The lads are toiling hard as a group and we need someone to give us a lift and our supporters who came here in numbers a few days before Christmas. We have to roll our sleeves up and be ready for Rotherham to give it our all and go again."
He added: "It's an exciting time to be involved when games come thick and fast and if you get beat you have to hope that those defeats don't damage morale, but I am looking at a group giving everything for the shirt and that's great to see. The lads just keep going and as long as they do that I can hold my head up very high."
