Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski won back some pride and gave Britain a fighting chance going into the final day of their Davis Cup tie against Morocco in Casablanca.
Britain's top two players teamed up to defeat Hicham Arazi and Mourir El Aarej 7-6 6-2 6-4 in today's crucial doubles rubber to cut back the overall deficit to 2-1 ahead of the reverse singles.
Henman and Rusedski walked on court knowing that anything other than a win would see Britain relegated from the World Group to Euro-Africa Zone Group one. Canadian-born Rusedski began the game and Henman gave a show of intent, killing the first point with a positive slam at the net as Britain took the first game.
Arazi quickly levelled the set as Henman seemed once again to struggle with his serve. That and going 15-30 down on his own serve could have affected the British number one - but Henman bounced back to take the game with some good deep serves.
El Aarej held his serve comfortably and Rusedski had no problems in his second service game despite two double faults.
A Rusedski backhand straight between the Moroccans gave Britain the first break point of the game in the next game, but he followed that up with a wild stroke and Arazi won the next two points to level things at 3-3.
Henman again had to fight back from 15-30 down on his serve before Britain wasted a great chance to claim a decisive break after El Aarej misjudged a Henman return to go 0-40 down.
However, the Moroccan held his nerve and aided by some unforced errors from Henman, including an error of judgement on the last point, fought back to keep his serve.
Once again Rusedski's serve was unbeatable as was Arazi's to level things at 5-5, leaving Henman with a tense task which he performed well, despite dropping his opening point.
El Aarej then served out to love to force a tie-break, but was broken twice before an overhit gave Britain three set points which they did not waste. The British pair moved 3-1 ahead in the second set, before El Aarej squandered a 40-0 lead in the fifth to finally be broken by a powerful Rusedski forehand along the line.
Henman had no problems making it 5-1, Rusedski killing the game with a slam which bounced into the crowd.
Arazi then held his serve in a game which included a hugely-entertaining rally which the Moroccan finally ended with three smashes from the back of the court with his partner crouched down to protect himself.
They had no answer to Rusedski, however, and he served out to love to give Britain the second set 6-2 and within touching distance of a crucial victory. The third set was a more even affair, though, as the Moroccans rediscovered their service game.
El Aarej, who had looked vulnerable in the second set, began positively, as did Henman, Arazi and Rusedski.
He was in deep trouble in the fifth game, however, and at 15-40 down it appeared Britain had the chance to make what could be a decisive break.
However, Morocco's number three was able to put the ball deep and force the errors that allowed him to claw back the game.
Henman and Arazi both served out to love and Rusedski had no problems making it 4-4.
El Aarej again looked in trouble on his serve as both Henman and Rusedski sensed an opening and a Rusedski return at El Aarej's feet forced the break to leave Henman to serve for the match and throw his team a much-needed lifeline.
He took the game to love and Britain had secured a three-set triumph.
Although they have to win both singles now tomorrow to clinch the best-of-five match they have at least given themselves a much-needed morale boost and a glimmer of hope.