Radoslaw Majewski's first goal in English football steered Nottingham Forest into the third round of the Carling Cup.
The Polish international bagged a dramatic extra-time winner to gun down Championship rivals Middlesbrough at The City Ground.
The midfielder, on a season-long loan with The Reds from Polonia Warsaw, was the toast of Trentside after his 103rd minute match-winner.
Majewski earned Forest their second victory of the campaign - and consigned Boro to their first defeat - with a left-footed finish from just inside the area from Dele Adebola's pull back.
It capped a remarkable turn-around in fortunes for The Reds, who had fallen behind to Adam Johnson's first half goal.
Luke Chambers hauled Billy Davies' men level after the break before Majewski took centre-stage with his late, but oh so precious, strike.
Boro arrived on Trentside riding high in the Championship after three wins and a draw and they gave their travelling support more cause for celebration three minutes before half-time as Johnson bagged his fourth goal in five games.
The England Under 21 man showed great composure as he coolly fired past Paul Smith after Marvin Emnes had helped on a long ball forward.
It was perhaps no more than Boro, making their first appearance of the season in the Carling Cup after a first round bye, deserved.
Only the smart reflexes of Smith denied them a fifth minute lead, the Forest 'keeper first thwarting Jeremie Aliadiere with his legs and then blocking Julio Arca's follow-up.
Smith's alertness also denied Johnson, while Aliadiere fired into the side-netting and Rhys Williams blasted over the bar from distance as Gareth Southgate's men looked to draw first blood.
Forest also had their moments in the opening 45 minutes. A weak back pass from Robert Huth almost let in Paul Anderson after just six minutes but goalkeeper Danny Coyne spared his teammate's blushes.
Robert Earnshaw, making only his second start of the campaign, fired wide on the half hour mark after Dexter Blackstock had knocked down Chris Cohen's cross-field ball.
And the Welsh international attempted to test Coyne with a shot from the edge of the area shortly before half-time but it was straightforward enough for Boro's No.1.
Forest were quickly out of the blocks at the start of the second half. Another Blackstock knock down from a Paul McKenna header found an unmarked Earnshaw six yards out but he was unable to bring the ball under control, allowing Boro to clear.
The visitors still looked dangerous and a misplaced Arron Davies pass and slip by Chris Gunter gave Aliadiere a sight of goal but fortunately for The Reds the former Arsenal man fired over.
But Chambers' equaliser on the hour mark settled the nerves of the home fans and silenced Boro's 1,700 supporters in The Bridgford Stand.
The central defender timed his run to perfection to meet Davies' corner and cheekily back-heeled past Danny Coyne, who got a hand to his effort but only managed to palm the ball into the roof of his own net.
Chambers' goal was his first of the season - and also gave him the distinction of being the first man to breach Boro's defence this term.
The game was held up for several minutes as referee Kevin Wright succumbed to a calf injury and had to be replaced.
And there was a scare for Forest in the second minute of added time at the end of the 90 as Smith was forced to finger-tip a corner from the impressive Johnson over his crossbar.
Substitute Adebola went close to giving Forest an extra-time lead but his header from Chris Cohen's left-wing cross was deflected behind for a corner, from which Chambers headed wide.
At the other end a long range effort from Arca fizzed just wide of Smith's left-hand upright.
But it was Majewski who had the last laugh as The Reds set themselves up for the visit of arch rivals Derby on Saturday with a morale-boosting success.
Forest: Paul Smith, Chris Gunter, Wes Morgan, Luke Chambers, Chris Cohen, Paul Anderson(David McGoldrick 79min), Paul McKenna(C), Radoslaw Majewski, Arron Davies(Nathan Tyson 67min), Robert Eanshaw,(Dele Adebola 79min) Dexter Blackstock
Subs not used: Lee Camp, Joe Garner, Aaron Mitchell, Jordan Fairclough
Bookings Gunter 74min
Scorers: Chambers 60min, Majewski 103min
Boro: Danny Coyne, Justin Hoyte, David Wheater, Robert Huth(C), Andrew Taylor, Mark Yeates, Rys Williams, Julio Arca(Joe Bennett 105min), Adam Johnson, Jerimie Aliadiere( Jonathan Franks 84min), Marvin Emnes(Leroy Lita 65min)
Subs not used: Jason Steele, Tony McMahon, Jonathan Grounds, Seb Hines,
Scorer: Johnson 43min
Referee: Mr K K Wright (Mr N Smith 65min)
Attendance: 8,838 away attn: 1,721
