The Ammies had gone through a tough stretch over Christmas and New Year, losing twice and drawing twice.
That run meant their lead at the National League North quickly evaporated and Harrogate Town missed the chance to go temporarily top on Tuesday night.
However, due to Town’s defeat at Nuneaton, and Salford’s late 2-1 win at Darlo, the Ammies are now five points clear again.
Anthony Dudley scored late on at Blackwell Meadows, just a few days after Michael Nottingham salvaged a point at the death against Stockport County.
Relieved joint-boss Johnson told the club’s YouTube channel: “That’s two (late goals) in two games now after Stockport. It was just great to get that elusive win we’ve been looking for.
“We kept pushing after they got the equaliser and I thought we deserved it. It’s always nice to win it right at the end.
“It feels like a bit of a monkey off the back for the lads even though we are top of the league. We’ve been in a similar rut to Darlington so it was nice to get the win.”
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