You only had to witness Whyteleafe's celebrations after their 3-2 win over Tunbridge Wells yesterday to realise just how crucial it was.
The three points put Leafe back on top of the Southern Counties East Football League with just four games to play. If they win all four they will be champions.
Afterwards boss John Fowler admitted that victory over title rivals Tunbridge Wells really was a "must-win" game.
"It was a must-win for us," Fowler said. "With only five games to go and now four, it was a key fixture for us. I honestly thought, had we lost, Ashford would have been in pole position. I think Tunbridge Wells are out of it now, it's between us and Ashford. It was a good positive result for us.
"We didn't deserve to go in at the break 2-1 down, their two goals were against the run of play. They had two chances and scored two goals. We had eight and got one. We told them to believe in themselves, to create chances and the goals will come."
Now all eyes are on Easter Monday when Ashford visit Whyteleafe in what is surely the title decider.
Leafe once again lead the race, not a position Fowler is too comfortable with.
"We've pushed the self-destruct button in the past couple of weeks. I think, to be honest, we're better when we're chasing. Now we're back on top, it's a tough one. But it is tight. When we had too many points I think we took our foot off the pedal a bit – got a bit complacent. But now we're in a title challenge. It's all in our own hands. Every game is a cup final for us – we're looking forward to the challenge."
He added: "Looking at the fixtures of who we've got and who they've got I think it'll come down to Bank Holiday Monday. It's going to be the one. I've watched them a couple of times this season and when they played us I thought they were a lot better that what I had seen of them in previous games. They raised their game for the big important one. The sending off had an impact on that game as well. Hopefully we can do the job at our place."
