Robert Bayly struck a dramatic injury-time equaliser to give Shamrock Rovers a 1-1 draw against Israel's Bnei Yehuda in the Europa League Second Qualifying Round at Tallaght Stadium.
Rovers had dominated possession for long spells but looked like being denied until substitute Bayly fired in from a narrow angle in the 91st minute.
Bayly pounced on Thomas Stewart's cross at the back post, but his team-mate Billy Dennehy unintentionally blocked the first effort.
However, Bayly was undeterred and deceived Dele Aiyenugba at his near post in a moment reminiscent of Maicon's strike for Brazil against North Korea at the World Cup.
Omri Afek Haftke had put the visitors ahead against the run of play on 26 minutes with a close range-finish and punished Rovers for a lapse in concentration.
Bayly's equaliser was the least Rovers deserved on an absorbing night in front of 4,850 fans at the south Dublin venue, which was hosting its first European tie.
The tie is now finely balanced ahead of the second leg in Tel Aviv next week, with both sides believing they can progress to the third round, where Liverpool and Juventus await.
Michael O'Neill chose to stick with the starting XI that impressed in the 4-0 win over Dundalk on Sunday.
The Israelis made three changes to the side that beat FC Ulisses in the last round, with Ivan Garrido, Egiya Yavruyan and Liroy Zhairi coming into the team.
Aiyenugba almost gifted Rovers an opener when he let a back pass from Aviv Viktor Hadad slip under his foot, but he recovered in time despite pressure from Stewart.
The keeper redeemed himself with a couple of fine saves from Craig Sives and Stewart as Rovers pressed forward in the opening stages.
It had been a positive opening for the Hoops but they were almost caught out on the counter-attack as a skilful Bnei were able to break at speed.
A combination of Dan Murray and Enda Stevens slid in to deny Moshe Biton and Craig Sives completed the clearance.
Rovers did not heed the warning and the visitors went in front on 26 minutes through Afek Haftke.
Linic Sinisa Hrvatsko put Egiya Yavruyan through on goal but Alan Mannus hesitated in coming out and could only deflect the striker's shot into the path of the unmarked Afek Haftke.
The goal knocked Rovers out of their stride but they could easily have gone in level at half-time, had it not been for a great save by Aiyenugba.
Paddy Kavanagh picked out Chris Turner, who flicked on for Gary Twigg but Aiyenugba raced off his line to smother Twigg's shot.
Rovers were going all out for the equaliser after the break with Kavanagh and Stewart to the fore. Twigg again found space inside the area, but his overhead kick was deflected wide.
Bnei manager Dror Kashtan reacted to Rovers' domination of possession by introducing midfielder Oz Ezra Raly for striker Yavruyan just before the hour.
Dennehy replaced centre-half Aidan Price and within minutes Twigg rose highest to meet the winger's cross but could not keep his header on target.
Although Bnei had only sporadic forays forward in the second half, Rovers struggled to break down a resolute defence.
It looked like the visitors were going to take a one-goal lead home with them until Bayly's late dramatic intervention.
