Paul Robinson was the hero of the hour at Elland Road last night, sparing Leeds United's blushes against Swindon Town.
The England star became the first United goalkeeper to score in open play when he bagged a dramatic injury time leveller.
And the goal-den boy followed that stunning effort by making a crucial penalty save in a thrilling Carling Cup shoot-out as United finally edged through 4-3 on spot kicks.
It was a dramatic finale to a clash which took almost 80 minutes to spark into life, but Robinson's heroics kept the United fans glued to their seats as the tension reached fever pitch.
It was the sort of game that people will still talk about in 20 years' time such was the drama of Robinson's late, late show.
The Elland Road faithful haven't seen a keeper score before and it's the first time United have ever won a home match on penalty kicks.
To be fair, such drama couldn't have been predicted when the United goalkeeper ambled forward for a set-piece in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
Leeds were trailing 2-1 and were heading out of the competition.
But Ian Harte's short corner found Michael Bridges and Robinson met his cross with a superb glancing header to put United level with just 15 seconds remaining.
Elland Road erupted as the history-making Robinson wheeled away and, from then on in there was only ever going to be one winner because, for the first time this season, the gods were smiling on Leeds United.
It didn't matter that United couldn't find an opening in extra time, despite dominating in terms of possession, because this had to be Robinson's night.
And so it proved when, after Harte missed United's second penalty, Robinson proceeded to save Swindon's last two spot-kicks to send Leeds through.
It was a sensational end to a contest which had promised little and the final twists and turns went some way to masking what was a below-par display by United against a well-organised Swindon side.
Andy King's men did him proud with a gallant performance although they left Elland Road kicking themselves after surrendering a two-goal lead.
A stunning first-half free-kick from Andy Gurney put them in the lead.
Gurney bent the ball around the United wall from 30 yards out to leave Robinson with no chance.
The second came 16 minutes from time and was probably no more than Swindon deserved. Sammy Igoe fed the lively Sam Parkin and he tucked the ball beyond the reach of Robinson.
The ease with which Swindon scored their second was worrying to say the least - the United defence was far too static - and at that stage it looked like game over.
United's workrate couldn't be faulted, but they simply didn't create enough chances to trouble their opponents.
Teenager Aaron Lennon, making his first start, was a constant threat, but he didn't see enough off the ball to cause the mayhem which he is capable of.
Alan Smith was another workhorse and he epitomised the United spirit in the closing stages when he chased almost 70 yards to win the ball back deep inside his own half.
Salomon Olembe again looked lively, but didn't have the same impact as on Saturday against Birmingham and, for long periods last night, it looked like Leeds were heading out of the cup without putting up a real fight.
However, Swindon's second goal and the probability of a humiliating exit and an embarrassing defeat prompted United into life and, with Peter Reid and Kevin Blackwell chest thumping on the sidelines, United threw everything they had at their visitors.
They equalised within three minutes of Parkin's killer strike when Roque Junior flicked on a Lennon corner and Harte hammered the ball home at the far post.
That was the first rung of the ladder and with Michael Bridges back in the fold after a 10-month lay-off and David Batty looking sharper by the minute, United threw everything bar the kitchen sink at Swindon in the hope of salvaging an equaliser.
United's cause was helped just three minutes from time when Swindon keeper Bart Griemink received a second booking for a foul on Smith.
There was no doubting that the yellow card was merited, but his earlier booking, for handling outside the area, looked harsh and the keeper could consider himself unlucky.
It still looked like that leveller wasn't going to come, but as the clocked ticked towards the 94th minute, Robinson produced a header that any striker would have been proud of to send Elland Road into raptures.
The previous 93 minutes were forgotten as United pushed forward in extra time, but for all their efforts they were unable to find the killer instinct to win the tie in open play.
The shoot-out was a first at Elland Road and, after Smith converted United's first penalty, Harte became the first player to miss when he rattled the post.
Thankfully, Bridges, Roque and Lucas Radebe were successful in their attempts while Swindon faltered at the last.
The first penalty went in off Robinson's back after hitting the post and the second hit the keeper's body before spinning into the net.
The third was a good strike, but this was Robinson's night and he rounded things off by saving the fourth and his full-stretch dive ensured the fifth hit the post.
It was an amazing finish to a game in which Leeds were a long way from their best, but showed great character to clamber off the canvas. It was also a home win.
And when most fans would have settled for a last-minute winner coming off someone's backside, the grandstand finale was simply a bonus.