Salford wrecked FC United's record winning streak with two late goals in front of 4,058 fans at the Willows Tuesday night.
Super sub Jamie Bagguley crashed in a 30-yard free kick to draw the Tangerines level and in injury time Nick Robinson scored a deserved second to prevent the Rebels from clocking up a 13th straight win.
FC had taken the lead through Josh Howard with ten minutes to go, when keeper Sam Ashton picked him out from 60 yards with a great free kick and the former Manchester United youth team captain smashed a volley across Salford keeper Andy Moores.
But the Salford team rose to a great non-league occasion, and so did Salford folk. They turned out in their droves to support their local team, some curious, some with a sense of civic duty, as well as a smattering of confused rugby league types.
The city's Mayor was there, and British light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore was spotted wandering to the stadium, dressed in a pair of flowery red and white beach shorts!
The crowds built up outside, with kick-off twice delayed. By the time they had made their way through the foul weather, there was the kind of attendance which the Willows normally gets for a Super League game.
Salford were clearly fired up for the match, hammering into tackles and disrupting FC's usual passing game.
They also created more first half chances, Matty Eckersley firing just wide and Dale Whitehead hitting the bar from 25 yards.
But it was the visitors who had the best chance of the half, Matty Taylor swinging in a cross from deep on the right. Top scorer Stuart Rudd stretched out a toe but Salford keeper Moores made a terrific reflex save to keep it out.
The second half was tight and competitive, the Salford support loving it when sub Tunji Moses - son of former Manchester United midfielder Remi - was booked for a two-footed assault on Will Ahern.
But when Salford snatched it late on, there were few arguments that they were worth the victory.
2 Matty Taylor
3 Alex Mortimer
4 Steve Spencer
5 Dave Chadwick(captain)
6 Rob Nugent
7 Josh Howard
8 William Ahern
9 Stuart Rudd
10 Adie Orr
11 Rory Patterson
Subs Used 12. Rhodri Giggs(for 10, 78mins) 13. Simon Carden(for 11, 62mins) 15. Steve Smith(for 6, 39mins) Attendance:4058
Scorers Howard 80