Ipswich Town struck twice in the closing stages to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Fulham, leaving Alvaro Arbeloa still waiting for his first league win as manager.
Ryan Sessegnon appeared to have put the visitors on course for victory when he fired a low shot home from outside the penalty area 10 minutes after the break.
But Abdoul Ouattara equalised from 25 yards in the 88th minute before Dara O’Shea headed in from a set-piece in stoppage time to spark jubilant celebrations at Portman Road.
Ipswich’s third win of the season lifted them to ninth, while Fulham remain in the relegation zone with just two points from six matches.
For much of the second half, Ipswich looked set for a frustrating afternoon despite their efforts to overturn Sessegnon’s opener.
Emersonn squandered a clear opportunity to equalise, heading against the post after finding himself unmarked inside the box.
The hosts also had a penalty appeal rejected when Daizen Maeda went down under a challenge.
Those setbacks failed to dent their determination, and Ouattara finally broke through with a long-range strike two minutes from the end of normal time.
Rather than settle for a point, Ipswich continued to attack.
Their ambition was rewarded in the 92nd minute when O’Shea’s header completed the turnaround.
With Manchester City awaiting in their next fixture, the victory gives Ipswich valuable points and confidence as they pursue Premier League survival.
They have now won three of their opening six matches on their return to the top flight, beating Sunderland, Crystal Palace and Fulham.
Those results could prove particularly important against teams they may regard as potential rivals in the battle to stay up.
Fulham were left to reflect on another lead lost in the final moments, having suffered similar frustration against Manchester United before the international break.
On that occasion, a late deflected strike from Matheus Cunha denied them victory.
At Portman Road, the damage was greater as a winning position became a defeat within minutes.
The visitors had created the better chances before half-time, and Sessegnon’s second-half finish gave them a deserved advantage.
However, their failure to add a second goal left Ipswich within reach, and the hosts punished them with a decisive late surge.
For Arbeloa, the result underlines the need for greater efficiency in front of goal and better composure when protecting a narrow lead.
Fulham have twice come close to securing their first league victory, but another painful finish leaves them winless after six matches and increases the pressure on their manager.
