A brace from striker Aritz Aduriz saw Athletic Club record a first Primera Division victory in over two months at the expense of bottom club Levante.
The Copa del Rey quarter-finalists were without a league win since taking all three points at Getafe on November 29 but Aduriz's double in a 2-0 win moves Ernesto Valverde's side away from the relegation zone ahead of next weekend's clash with Barcelona.
Levante remain rooted to the foot of the table with their own winless streak in the league now stretching back to November 23, with four defeats from their last five Primera Division outings.
Athletic started well at the Ciutat de Valencia and the visitors were unlucky not to take the lead inside 10 minutes as Iker Muniain saw a well-struck effort come back off the woodwork.
Levante came back into the game following that let-off and both Jose Luis Morales and Andreas Ivanschitz fired wide before Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz was forced into a couple of smart stops.
Roberto Camarasa's long-range effort was pushed away by Iraizoz on 20 minutes before the former Espanyol stopper tipped Simao Junior's close-range header over the crossbar.
Mikel Rico drilled an effort over as Athletic looked to break the deadlock but they had to wait until after the break for Aduriz to step up.
The 33-year-old needed just three minutes after the interval to put the visitors ahead as he latched on to Oscar De Marcos' cross to fire a left-footed shot past Diego Marino.
Muniain missed a good chance with a header as Bilbao looked to stretch their advantage but Lucas Alcaraz had to wait until the 73rd minute to see his side truly come close to an equaliser.
Ruben Garcia volleyed wide from 12 yards before Iraizoz kept out another Ruben effort moments later.
Aduriz then put the game beyond doubt in the final minute with a lobbed finish to end a barren spell for Valverde's side and put six points between themselves and the bottom three.