Sam Allardyce believes 10-man West Ham's 2-1 win over local rivals Millwall could prove the defining moment in his side's bid to return to the Premier League.
Allardyce's side are four points clear at the top of the Championship thanks to a gritty effort at Upton Park on Saturday.
The Hammers played for just 10 men for 81 minutes after Kevin Nolan's red card for a two-footed lunge on Jack Smith, but they still came out on top in a controversial London derby.
Carlton Cole headed West Ham into the lead just before half-time before Liam Trotter equalised after the break.
Yet West Ham took the points when New Zealand defender lashed home from the edge of the area following Julian Faubert's challenge on Millwall goalkeeper David Forde, which Lions boss Kenny Jackett claimed was a foul.
Allardyce celebrated wildly at full-time and he hailed the performance as a stand-out moment in his career.
"It was a result we deserved," Allardyce said. "We managed the disappointment of Kevin going off, we didn't sit back and we got our reward.
"It could be a defining moment. It's one of the best wins of my career. There's a pressure in this fixture and you have to handle that."
There was no repeat of the crowd trouble which marred the last meeting between these old foes at Upton Park, in the league Cup in August 2009, and West Ham took the lead in stoppage time with former England striker Cole's ninth goal of the season.
Struggling Millwall equalised in the 65th minute when Darius Henderson chipped back for Trotter to lash home a fine volley from 15 yards.
But Millwall were level for just two minutes before Reid scored the winner.
Forde felt he was fouled by Faubert but play continued and Reid blasted home from the edge of the area.
Second-placed Southampton held on for a 0-0 draw in a snowstorm at promotion rivals Birmingham despite the late dismissal of defender Daniel Fox.
Third placed Cardiff wasted a chance to close the gap on Southampton as the League Cup finalists crashed to a 3-1 home defeat against Blackpool.
The Bluebirds, who face Liverpool at Wembley later this month, led through Joe Mason's 59th minute goal.
But veteran striker Kevin Phillips equalised in the 79th minute before Matt Phillips scored twice in the last seven minutes to seal the win.
Cardiff boss Malky Mackay said: "We are disappointed to be winning the game with 15 minutes to go and then lose. We gifted them goals and it was poor defending on our part."
Middlesbrough also lost ground in the automatic promotion race after a dour 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace at the Riverside Stadium.
Leeds are back in the play-off hunt thanks to a 3-0 win at nine-man Bristol City.
The managerless Yorkshire club, who sacked boss Simon Grayson earlier this week, scored through Robert Snodgrass, Ross McCormack and Luciano Becchio
City pair James Wilson and Yannick Bolasi were both sent off by referee James Linington.
Leeds caretaker manager Neil Redfearn said: "I feel I am capable of doing the manager's job and have the necessary experience in the game.
"But the decision will be made from above and I am not stupid. I realise some big names are being linked with the vacancy."
Coventry remain bottom of the table after blowing a 2-1 lead in their 3-2 home defeat against Ipswich, while Watford won 2-1 against Barnsley and Brighton beat Leicester 1-0.
Source: AFP
