Perth Glory coach Alen Stajcic has heaped praise on the fighting spirit of his side following their come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Melbourne City.
Second-from-bottom Glory scored in the 68th, 70th and 98th minutes on Friday night to overturn a 2-1 deficit and post their fourth win of the season.
Perth are still without an owner after a deal to buy the club dramatically fell over in November.
Adding to Glory's woes, they were forced to release key players Salim Khelifi and Oliver Bozanic during the transfer window due to budget constraints.
Despite the backdrop of drama, Glory refused to wilt against City.
It continued a trend of brave displays from Glory this season - highlighted by their January 6 performance against high-flying Melbourne Victory, when they almost snatched a point despite playing half the match with 10 men.
In their last three games, Glory have beaten Western Sydney Wanderers 2-1 away, drawn 2-2 at Macarthur and beaten Melbourne City at home.
"It was another performance with heart and spirit, and fighting to the death," Stajcic said after Friday's success.
"We had to fight uphill a few times to come back in the game and just show that spirit all the way to the end.
"We've seen it all year but particularly in the last five, six matches, going back to the Melbourne Victory game.
"It's good to have all that effort and be rewarded with points as well (over the past three weeks).
"It builds that extra little belief and confidence that we're heading in the right direction. That's the most important thing."
Glory were fuming after being forced to let Khelifi and Bozanic go during the transfer window.
But they received a huge boost when Jarrod Carluccio was able to extend his stay on loan at Glory from Western Sydney until the end of the season.
The 22-year-old winger played a key role in the win over City.
"He's an important player for us. He almost symbolises everything we want to build at this team," Stajcic said.
"He's someone who fights and gives every single thing he's got. The amount of hard work that went into him continuing with our club is something that I haven't seen before.
"It just shows how passionate he is about playing and about representing our club and our city."
Stajcic also praised 19-year-old debutant Joel Anasmo, who came off the bench to score Glory's 98th-minute sealer.
Anasmo, who underwent ankle surgery following a training mishap during the pre-season, looms as a valuable X-factor off the bench for the rest of the campaign.
