Athlone Town booked their place in the last eight of the FAI Carlsberg Cup with this 3-2 win over Finn Harps in a pulsating affair in Saint Mel's Park.
Even for much of the first half, Athlone began to assert their dominance in the second half, and controlled two periods of extra-time.
Despite this, the sides were level at one a piece after 114 minutes of football.
The visitors enjoyed most of the possession in the early stages, but had to wait until the 23rd minute for their first clear chance. But when it did arrive, it looked like they had taken the lead.
Danny O'Leary in the Town goal could only punch a shot from Barry Curran across the face of goal. Darren Meenan pounced on the loose ball, but saw his shot hooked off the line by Jim Sheridan.
Athlone came more into the game as the half wore on, but were almost caught on the break on 37 minutes, but O'Leary did well to save David Bell's header.
They finished the half with Steve Gavin going on a good run down the middle before shooting into the arms of James Gallagher.
Town had a great chance to take the lead five minutes into the second half. Padraig Moran cut in from the left before passing to Noel McGee. The young striker shot straight at Gallagher, when he only had to pick his spot either side of the Harps 'keeper.
Four minutes earlier Harps had a good chance of their own, when Danny O'Leary spilled a drive from Barry Curran, but Sheridan reacted well to clear.
However, McGee got a second bite of the cherry on 58 minutes, and this time he made no mistake. A throw-in from Damien Rushe made its way to Eric Lavine. He steamed towards the end-line before squaring to McGee who coolly side-footed the ball to the back of the net.
The game burst into life midway through the half, and the sides were level after 64 minutes.
David Bell drove into the box down the left before shooting powerfully across the goal. Again O'Leary could only punch the ball into the box, and after Meenan had his shot blocked, Barry Curran was on hand to stab the ball home.
The woodwork twice came to Athlone's rescue soon after. First, Damien Rushe headed off his own bar, and from the same play Meenan's shot went off the butt of the post before going wide.
A minute later and Athlone were cursing the woodwork down the other end. Steve Feeney's header hit the post with Gallagher well beaten in the Harps goal.
Ian Rossiter had a thumping shot saved by Gallagher as Town went in search of a winner before extra time.
At the other end, Eloka Asokuh's free kick took a deflection on the way to goal, but O'Leary did well to correct himself and save.
However, neither side could find a winner and the game went to extra-time.
Athlone continued to be the stronger side here, but failed to do any better than half-chances.
The first half of extra time came and went and the sides were still level. Then, deep into the second period, Athlone took the lead.
Substitute Istvan Lakatos played the ball to Damien Rushe down the right, and the midfielder operating at full back curled a beautiful shot to the far corner with five minutes remaining.
Steve Gavin incredibly made it 3-1 on the stroke of full-time when he fired home from a time-eating corner.
Harps pulled one back in injury time of extra time when Shane Bradley lifted the ball over O'Leary and into an empty net.
However, match referee Richie Winter blew his whistle soon after, with Town deservedly booking their place in the quarter-finals.
Athlone Town: Danny O'Leary, Damien Rushe, Ian Rossiter, Des Hope, Jim Sheridan, Colin Fortune, Steven Gavin, Stephen Feeney, Eric Lavine, Noel McGee, Padraig Moran. Subs: Istvan Lakatos for Moran (105), Alan Kelly for Lakatos (118).
Finn Harps: James Gallagher, Shaun McGowan, Jonathan Minnock, Eloka Asokuh, Shane Bradley, Michael Funston, Barry Curran, David Bell, Darren Meenan, Chris Malseed, Matthew Crossan. Subs: Brian Lafferty for Curran (116).
Referee: Richie Winter (Dublin)
