London Irish boss Toby Booth admitted he couldn't have asked for more after his side recorded a bonus-point 34-14 win over Racing Metro on Saturday.
The Exiles victory over their illustrious opponents as they picked up only their second-ever Heineken Cup success on French soil.
Two tries in the space of four second-half minutes provided the game's turning point as Booth's men overturned an early 14-3 deficit to move back into contention in Pool 2.
Jonathan Spratt cancelled out Sereli Bobo's 12th-minute score before Joe Ansbro and Adam Thompstone claimed fine tries on 54 and 58 minutes respectively, with Thompstone ending the contest with seven minutes remaining at the Stade Yves Du Manoir.
"I couldn't have asked for more, both in terms of the result and the performance," Booth told ERC, after his side bounced back from previous defeats to Edinburgh and Cardiff Blues.
"To go up against a French institution like Racing - with the budget, resources and quality of players they have - and to win is a great result for us.
"It's something we can hang our hat on going forward. It's shown our very young side that we can compete with the best."
The maximum five-point tally they will take home from Colombes brings Irish right back into the mix ahead of the return clash in Reading.
The Blues currently top the pool with three wins and 12 points at the halfway mark but the Exiles are now just two points behind Edinburgh in second spot having secured seven points so far.
Another win over Racing next Saturday, coupled with a Blues' defeat at Murrayfield, could see Irish top the group a round later as they host the Welsh side and Edinburgh head to France.
"It was always going to be very tough coming to Racing. Everyone talks about winning your home games in the Heineken Cup but the key to surviving is to win on the road,2 added Booth.
"We've done that and we've picked up a bonus point. It's the first step to keeping our Heineken Cup hopes alive.
"Racing will come to us next week hurting, though. They'll be devastated by this loss and next week's game is a potential hiccup for us.
"Consistency is absolutely key for us now. This win will mean nothing if we don't back it up it next week."
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