Neil Warnock hailed Huddersfield's demolition of Middlesbrough as the best win of his career before setting his sights on a 'miracle' survival.
Much-travelled Warnock, 74, was sacked by Boro in November 2021 but came out of retirement in February to answer an SOS from the Terriers.
This was their second successive win and was chiselled on a stunning second-half performance which harvested four goals in 20 minutes.
The 74-year-old, whose side won at Millwall last time out, said: 'It's probably as good a result as I've ever had in my career because they're a good side.
'But I always do well against Middlesbrough don't I?
'We were 5-1 with the bookies beforehand and what a bloody insult that was – I've never been 5-1 at home in my life!
'We'll only stay up on our own results and if I'd said we'd get six points against Millwall and Middlesbrough you'd have thought I was loopy and going round the bend.
'But that's football and I think we just wanted it that bit more in the second half.'
High-flying Boro scored a delightful opener in the 43rd minute when Marcus Forss rifled home to finish a deadly counter-attack.
Yet Huddersfield's response was quite staggering as Josh Ruffels blasted in a clinical left-foot equaliser seconds after half-time.
Josh Koroma curled a shot into the corner before defender Matty Pearson scored twice from close range as Boro went to pieces.
Although Chuba Akpom bagged a 74th-minute header, Huddersfield ran out emphatic winners.
Warnock added: 'I said to the lads 'I'm 74 now and in a few weeks when I'm fishing, I'll think back about how proud I was today'.
'Every player gave me everything and that's why I've been in the game so long.
'If I could bottle the players' self-belief I would be a millionaire. How big would it be if we stayed up? It would be the biggest miracle ever.'
It was a disastrous day for Boro with Sheffield United extending their lead in second spot and Luton also winning.
Boss Michael Carrick – who saw Matt Crooks have a second-half goal disallowed – admitted: 'I can't fault the boys' effort and attitude and it's not often you concede three goals in 10 minutes.
'We're obviously not happy and it's bitterly disappointing because it's not acceptable.
'It's a tough game for us on Friday [at home to Burnley] and we'll look forward to it.'
Warnock said he hoped his old club would go on to win promotion – a feat he claimed he could have achieved had he not been sacked.
But he could not resist a dig at Boro's chief executive, saying: 'I'm glad Neil Bausor was here. You will put that in the paper won't you?'