Munster are set for an away last-16 encounter after falling just short in a Champions Cup classic to Northampton Saints in Franklin's Gardens.
Tom Seabrook's hat-trick ultimately propelled the hosts to victory and top spot in the pool in a free-scoring encounter, while Calvin Nash and Diarmuid Kilgallen scored a brace of tries apiece for the visitors.
Seabrook's third try - and Northampton's fifth - was scored off a first-phase move following a lineout and appeared to have given the home side a cushion entering the closing stages.
However, with the clock ticking past 68 minutes, Kilgallen touched down in the corner for his second try to assure Munster of a four-try bonus point and give them a puncher's shot at stealing the win.
Jack Crowley, who delivered a magnificent display in the play-making role, nailed a nerveless conversion from the touchline. Suddenly, they were within one kick of the lead again, evoking memories of Ronan O'Gara's mammoth 2011 drop-goal against the same opposition.
Following the restart, Crowley, fizzing with confidence, made a break down the right, carrying Munster into the opposition half. A penalty was all that was required but the home side maintained their discipline and as Munster's attack lost its forward momentum. Replacement Henry Pollock turned over the ball at the ruck and Northampton booted the ball into the stand to seal the win.
The match-up is one with plenty of back-story in European competition, the Northampton Heineken Cup winning side of 2000 being paraded around the pitch at half-time as a reminder.
The hosts' made early pressure count to take the lead on 14 minutes, Seabrook jogging over in the corner after being fed by Rory Hutchinson.
Munster were under the cosh for the opening 20 minutes, attack coach Mike Prendergast reckoning they had over-played in possession.
Shortly after, they edged in front out of nowhere, courtesy of Nash's opportunism.
Tadhg Beirne robbed an opposition lineout just inside his own half. Conor Murray aimed a quick kick in behind the Northampton cover.
Nash started his chase a good 10 metres behind the retreating Alex Mitchell. However, the England scrum-half dawdled and failed to appreciate the danger. He glanced to his inside as Nash came steaming in on the outside.
By the time he realised it was too late, Nash winning the scrap for the ball and falling over the line for the try.
Ten minutes later, the rampant Nash would have his second.
After a breathless attacking move marked by deft handling and offloading, the wing received a pass from Kendellen, and availed of a yawning gap on the left wing, to speed around Mitchell and dive over for the second score.
Trailing 15-5, Northampton would re-take command of the game either side of half-time. A 12-point haul accumulated while Munster were down to 14 proved crucial; Gavin Coombes yellow carded for a high tackle on Tom Pearson with the clock in the red in the first half.
From the subsequent lineout, Northampton mauled over for a try, hooker Curtis Langdon grounding to leave it 15-12 to Munster at the break.
With Coombes on the cusp of returning to the field, Northampton edged ahead again, Seabrook lunging over in the corner after a pinpoint long pass from full-back James Ramm.
Ramm himself would add their fourth six minutes later as Northampton briefly threatened to pull away. Fin Smith found touch close to the line after Munster conceded another penalty on the halfway line.
The lineout maul was stalled on this occasion, however, Mitchell fed Smith, who helped the ball along with an improvised tip-pass, with Conor Murray shooting out of the line. Ramm ran a perfect line and barrelled over for the try.
The sides swapped penalties over the next 10 minutes before Munster revived their hopes of an away win.
Attacking the 22, Murray deceived the defence with an underarm pass for Kilgallen on his rear. The wing wrenched free of a despairing tackle and raced into the clear to score Munster's third and reduce to a two-point game with 15 minutes remaining.
Just three minutes later came the most sickening score for the visitors. A strike play off a lineout saw Niall Scannell drawn towards the ball-carrier Hutchinson, who threw a reverse pass inside for Seabrook.
The wing darted through the hole in the defence, rounding a helpless Haley to score in the corner.
That appeared to settle it until Kilgallen's late try and Crowley's break on the final play. But a dramatic late win a la 2011 wasn't to be this time.
The result leaves Munster in second spot in the pool on 12 points, though with one of Saracens or Castres certain to pass them out when they meet tomorrow.
