Bury ended their eight game losing streak with a much improved performance against high flying Swansea at Gigg Lane.
And the timing was perfect for Graham Barrow who heard before kick-off he'd been upgraded from caretaker manager to become Bury's boss until the end of the season.
The Shakers had lost four matches since Barrow took over the reins from Andy Preece.
But with the recent arrivals of Dave Challinor and Jon Daly, on loan from Stockport, Bury dominated for long spells against the play-off chasing Swans.
"I'm more pleased for the players than myself," said Barrow. "At least they now know what's going on.
"However, it was a good performance and even I quite enjoyed that at times during the game." Challinor certainly made a difference in the back line and his long throws added a new dimension to Bury's attack.
With Danny Swailes also in outstanding form they completely shackled 19-goal Lee Trundle who was substituted towards the end of the game.
It just wasn't Swansea's day and Richard Duffy, apparently being watched by Sunderland scouts, was red carded by Mike Dean for a two-footed tackle on Tom Kennedy.
"That's got to be our worst performance for 12 months," said honest Swansea boss Brian Flynn. "The game with Cheltenham now becomes a massive one.
"Lee wasn't injured but I don't think he had a shot. He was one of any number of players who could have come off." Swailes and Daly grabbed the second half goals to give Barrow his first points since taking over from Carlisle striker Preece.
Swailes opened the scoring after 61 minutes after Challinor had flicked on Glenn Whelan's corner.
And with the visitors down to 10 men Daly finished off the game with his first goal since last April.
However, it was nothing more than the Lancastrians deserved as Swansea suffered an afternoon to forget.
The Welshmen's best efforts came in the first half as Glynn Garner saved spectacularly from Andy Robinson and made other good stops from Robinson and Kieron Durkan.
But the second half belonged to Bury as they grabbed their first three points since November 22.