With all their rivals picking up points, the Blues needed all three points, at home, on Saturday.
With fourth-bottom Matlock putting four past Hyde, the pressure was on Gary Liddle's men at the Towbar Express Stadium.
Ironically, it was Hyde who beat them, on their last clash there, two weeks earlier.
It was visitors Warrington Rylands who threatened early on as Ben Hardcastle's effort was deflected onto the woodwork before Jake Daniels cut in and clipped over, both in the opening 13 minutes.
Whitby's first chance came midway through the first half as Layton Watts forced Luke Pilling to parry low down and right-wing-back Connor Smith then chipped onto the roof of the net.
Watts' tame effort was held by Pilling, then Lewis Hawkins saw a similar shot comfortably saved. Matty Tymon then set up Alfie Doherty who hooked over left-footed as ball sprang up off the pitch.
The Blues then used that momentum to break the deadlock as Watts released Tymon who chipped expertly over the stranded pilling from the edge of the box, for 1-0, and his fourth goal in as many games, a minute before half-time:
Paul Connolly with the commentary on This Is The Coast Extra.
At the other end, Shane Bland saved superbly to tip away Daniels' equally-brilliant 20-yard goal-bound snapshot out of nothing, which was headed for the top-right corner.
Just after the hour, Town threatened as Doherty hooked just high and wide following up Pilling's punch clear.
Rylands then had a great chance to level but another full-length stop from Bland denied Harrison Wood and as the Cheshire side celebrated turning in the resulting cross, an offside flag came to Whitby's rescue.
Pilling, who had already needed treatment early in the match, was unable to remain on the field for the final 20 minutes. With no keeper on the bench, Rylands placed young defender Murray Campbell between the sticks.
Sub Jake Burton flashed over for the hosts, before Smith did likewise at the other end. Whitby's sub Mitch Curry twice had chances to test Campbell but lacked power when twice released on the break by Watts.
Town just held on with Rylands' Hardcastle seeing red after two quickfire yellows in seconds for dissent.
It sealed a double over their visitors for Whitby, but with other results going against them, they remain just three points clear going into a pivotal Easter. Second and third-bottom Mickleover and Basford are now officially relegated with
Liddle spoke to Whitby Town TV post-match:
The Blues go to FC United of Manchester on Good Friday and host Blyth Spartans on Easter Monday.
Both matches are on This Is The Coast Extra from 3pm.
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