Gbemi Arubi rose to head home a 92nd-minute equaliser to preserve Dundalk's unbeaten record in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division against 10-man Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park.
Ciaran Kilduff’s side produced arguably their best start to a game all season to deservedly take the lead through Sean McHale on 19 minutes.
However, Killian Cantwell pulled Bray level just after the half-hour mark with his centre-back partner Harvey Warren looking like he had won it for Paul Hefferan’s side two minutes from the end despite the visitors playing for 20 minutes at that stage a man light, following Cian Doyle’s dismissal.
However, Dundalk were not to be denied, with Arubi heading in his first goal for the club in stoppage time to ensure they take a three-point lead at the top of the table to St Colman’s Park next week to face second-placed Cobh Ramblers.
The home side started on top, with Daryl Horgan having a shot blocked at close range by Warren on three minutes before Leo Gaxha fired straight at Jimmy Corcoran a minute later.
Horgan then side-footed wide with another good chance moments later before Dundalk were denied a penalty on 12 minutes when Sean Keogh went down in the box under a challenge from Jamie Duggan that was overlooked by referee Daniel Murphy.
The Lilywhites did find the breakthrough on 19 minutes in some fashion, with McHale rifling a superb left-foot shot to the bottom right-hand corner after a header clear had broken to him 15 yards out.
It took until five minutes later before Bray registered their first attempt, with Billy O’Neill’s shot from outside the box being blocked down at close range by McHale.
Dundalk continued to dominate, with Horgan curling another attempt wide but then the Seagulls were given a lifeline with an equaliser on 31 minutes with their first effort on target.
Max Murphy’s free from the right was missed by Mayowa Animasahun, with captain Cantwell on hand to head to the bottom left-hand corner, giving Peter Cherrie no chance.
The visitors grew into the game after that but it was Dundalk who had the best chance of taking the lead before the break when Gaxha blazed over from Keogh’s cross in the 44th minute.
While Keogh blazed over for the home side on 54 minutes, it was Bray who went closest to the game’s third goal two minutes later when another delivery from Murphy from a corner was flicked on at the near post by Warren, with Cherrie having to claw it over the crossbar at full stretch.
With little between the sides, the visitors were then reduced to 10 men on 68 minutes when Doyle was shown a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Animasahun.
Dundalk then almost took immediate advantage when substitute Andy Paraschiv curled a shot wide from just outside the box, with Keith Ward doing likewise from a free kick moments later.
Cantwell then came to his side’s rescue on 83 minutes when he cleared Dean Ebbe’s header off the line from Conor O’Keeffe’s left wing cross.
The Wicklow outfit then almost snatched the lead themselves three minutes later when a poor ball by Horgan presented Calum Costello with a chance to shoot, with Cherrie having to spring to his right to deny him.
They would shock Oriel Park on 88 minutes when Warren tapped home the rebound after Murphy’s free-kick had been tipped onto the crossbar by Cherrie.
Dundalk were not to be denied, however, with Arubi heading in from Keogh’s corner in the second minute of stoppage time to claim what could be a big point for the Louth side in their bid to return to the Premier Division.
Dundalk: Peter Cherrie, Conor O'Keeffe, Vinnie Leonoard, Mayowa Animasahun, Sean McHale (Andy Paraschiv 59);Shane Tracey (TJ Molloy Murray 89), Keith Ward (Gbemi Arubi 89); Leo Gaxha, Daryl Horgan, Sean Keogh; Eoin Kenny (Dean Ebbe HT).
Bray Wanderers: Jimmy Corcoran; Jamie Duggan, Killian Cantwell, Harvey Warren, Max Murphy, Rhys Knight (Jamie Ryan 71), Rhys Bartley, Cian Doyle, Conor Knight (Calum Costello 65); Cian Curtis (Guillermo Almirall 80), Billy O’Neill.
Referee: Daniel Murphy.
Cobh Ramblers capitalised on Dundalk and Bray sharing the spoils as Barry Coffey's brace ensured they saw off Wexford FC 2-0 at Ferrycarrig Park to move up to second in the table.
After opening the scoring from close range in the fifth minute, Coffey served up a second from the penalty spot.
Wexford's faint comeback hopes evaporated as Ryan Butler saw red for a reckless challenge in the 70th minute, with Zayd Abada also exiting the fray in the 77th minute after picking up a second yellow card.
Elsewhere in the second tier, Chris McQueen earned Kerry FC a 1-0 home win over Treaty United in Colin Healy's first match since being appointed manager, while UCD and Longford Town played out a 1-1 draw at Belfield.
Goals from Val Feeney and Gideon Tetteh saw Athlone Town claim a 2-0 win in Ballybofey against Finn Harps, with the result moving the midlanders off bottom spot in the standings on goal difference.
