Everton snatched a dramatic 3-1 victory over Birmingham thanks to two injury-time goals on Saturday.
David Moyes's side were set to share the points until Lee Carsley struck in the dying moments at Goodison Park.
James Vaughan got on the scoresheet moments later to ensure Birmingham went home empty-handed.
It was cruel on Steve Bruce's team who had drawn level with only 10 minutes to play when Olivier Kapo cancelled out Ayegbeni Yakubu's early goal.
Carsley and Vaughan's late show gave Everton a fourth successive win, while Birmingham suffered a fourth defeat in five matches.
Everton started superbly and Yakubu gave Birmingham an early scare when he met Leon Osman's cross with a deflected shot that drifted just wide.
The visitors failed to heed that warning and they were punished in the 10th minute.
Mikel Arteta, back from a calf strain, started the move with a neat pass to Steven Pienaar. The South African's cross picked out the unmarked Yakubu, who slotted home from close range.
Birmingham were stung into action by that setback and Olivier Kapo forced his way into the box, only to see his low shot palmed away by Tim Howard.
Everton had won their previous three matches and Yakubu should have extended their lead when the Nigerian pounced on Fabrice Muamba's wayward backpass.
The former Middlesbrough striker tried to chip Maik Taylor but his effort was blocked by the veteran keeper.
Taylor saved well again moments later when Arteta's cutback was met by Lee Carsley.
Moyes's side had missed Tim Cahill's eye for goal during his lengthy injury absence. The Australian demonstrated what he brings to the team when he collected Yakubu's chest-down and lashed a low shot narrowly wide.
Birmingham offered only sporadic threats. Cameron Jerome tested Howard with a close range effort just before the break but the American turned it away.
Osman and Cahill both wasted chances to increase Everton's lead after the break and Kapo took advantage to equalise in the 80th minute.
Gary McSheffrey's corner reached Kapo and his header deflected off Neville past Howard from six yards.
But Everton refused to accept a draw and, two minutes into injury time, they went ahead as Carsley lashed home from 20 yards after Birmingham failed to clear a long throw.
A minute later it was all over when Carsley's header sent Vaughan clear to stab home the third.
