Dan Barnes, the Rams skipper, hailed the crucial victory over Clifton as a big step forward in their fight against relegation.
He said: “There was a hunger about our performance. We were hungry to hit and hungry to win. Everyone was enjoying the battle.”
Rams showed those determined qualities by clinching the spoils in the last minute. Samir Kharbouch grabbed a touchdown after his side had been defending a two point lead for the previous half hour.
He rounded off a move down the right flank involving George Drury and Conor Corrigan for Spike Chandler to add a touchline conversion.
But it was James Mackay, with a ninth minute penalty, who put Clifton ahead before Chandler replied immediately.
The 33-year-old, now just 24 short of the holy grail of a thousand league points, nudged the Reading side in front with his second kick after Mackay had received a yellow card at a breakdown near his own line.
That gave Rams impetus and just before the break, No 8 Robbie Stapley beat three defenders to score after some sharp build-up work, Chandler adding the extras.
Clifton had their best spell of the match just after half-time, with Rams' losing key man, tight head James Baker, suffering from a shoulder injury.
Mackay slotted over a penalty then hooker David Wheeler went over for a catch-and-drive touchdown.
The match developed into a war of attrition, both sides having periods of ascendancy with the Bristol side’s backs looking dangerous at times.
But Rams stuck manfully to their task as their defence and especially centre Steve Bryant (pictured) made crucial tackles before Kharbouch’s late strike.
Chandler’s conversion left it impossible for the visitors to make up the nine point gap with little time remaining.
An outstanding team performance was confirmed by the fact no less than six supporters named a different man-of-the match.
Scrum-half Drury, fly-half Chandler, blindside Kharbouch and hooker Ben Henderson were among those who caught the eye.

Rams: Richardson, Corrigan, Bryant, Barnes, McDermottroe; Chandler, Drury; Weller, Henderson, Baker, Bryson, Morrison, Kharbouch, Vooght, Stapley. Reps: Ball, Steadman, Guttridge, Nightingale, Brooks.