Crystal Palace arrived in the Midlands for the first of two away trips in three days against promotion chasing West Bromwich Albion. Peter Taylor named Michael Hughes in the starting line up as he looked to see his side continue their recent run which has seen just two defeats in 14 matches.
Palace started the game with a 4-4-2 formation with Hughes taking up the role on the left side of midfield and Clinton Morrison partnering James Scowcroft up front.
The opening exchanges saw both sides trying to take a hold on the game with the home side giving some work to the Palace defence but nothing troubled Gabor Kiraly. Diomansy Kamara having the best opportunity with a good run but his effort was cleared.
Palace's first effort on goal came after 13 minutes and was provided by a Tom Soares cross, but Scowcroft's header was easily saved by Dean Kiely from close range.
Kiraly got his first piece of the action of the night just three minutes later when he saved well from Kamara and the clearance fell to Jonathan Greening whose powerful effort was well blocked by centre-half Mark Hudson.
The Baggies took the lead with a free kick from just outside the box just before the half hour mark, when Neil Clement struck home the set piece as the ball went through the wall and into the bottom corner of the net.
Just minutes later, Paul Robinson saw his cross headed clear of danger by Hudson as the home side looked to increase the pressure.
Palace gave the perfect reply as Clinton Morrison finished well past Kiely after latching onto a pass through from Hughes in the 35th minute following Scowcroft's headed flick-on.
Albion boss Tony Mowbray was forced to make a change after skipper Curtis Davies had to leave the action following a collision on 38 minutes, with Martin Albrechtsen replacing him.
Less than two minutes after, he was shown red for a foul on Hughes. As he was about to shoot, the Irishman was felled after picking up the flick-on from Scowcroft and the spot kick was rewarded. Ben Watson stepped up to score his second penalty in two matches and give the visitors an advantage after coming from behind.
Half Time WBA 1 Palace 2
Palace started the second half strongly, in the opening minutes Gary Borrowdale got his cross in from the left which Scowcroft couldn't connect properly with and when the ball fell to Morrison, he saw his shot clip the top of the crossbar.
The action was soon at the other end when some good footwork in the box saw Gera cut inside, but his shot at goal was superbly parried away by his compatriot Kiraly.
Mowbray made his second change on 58 minutes when Robert Koren was introduced to the midfield. His side soon had a free kick on the edge of the box but Jason Koumas' shot was blocked by the wall who stayed strong on this occasion.
Palace were now having to defend strongly against the 10 men but were showing great determination to get back in the game. There is always a chance of a breakaway from a clearance and this was exactly what happened on 66 minutes when Tom Soares found himself in space on the edge of the box but he saw his cross shot go just inches wide.
The home side continued to press and Gera saw his glancing header go just over the bar from Greening's cross. The goal was not far away though and a superb finish from Kevin Phillips drew the sides level. He met the pass from Kamara and waited for Kiraly to come out before slotting home to show something for all their second half pressure.
Albion could now sense victory after being behind for so much of the game as another change was made with Dave Martin coming on for Morrison.
With nine minutes remaining Kamara did well on the left hand side by beating a couple of defenders before putting his cross-shot over. Kiraly parried it away, but Koumas couldn't get his header on target.
Another youngster was added to the night's action when Lewis Grabban came on for Hughes as Taylor showed his hopes of still taking maximum points. The chances were falling at the other end though as Robinson saw his header go just wide of Kiraly's post.
Four minutes of added time were played and in the very last second of play, Grabban snatched victory as he chased a long ball forward and stabbed the ball home past Kiely to take maximum points in dramatic style.
An amazing victory after a second half which saw the visitors defend for their lives and then wild celebration as the 19-year-old kept their play off hopes alive with a real smash and grab performance.
Teams:
West Brom: Kiely ,McShane ,Clement ,Curtis Davies (Albrechtsen, 38 (sent off 41)), Robinson, Greening, Chaplow (Koren, 58), Koumas, Gera, Phillips, Kamara
Subs not used: Daniels, Carter, MacDonald,
C Palace: Kiraly, Lawrence, Cort, Hudson, Borrowdale (Butterfield, 72), Watson, Soares, Fletcher, Hughes (Grabban, 86), Morrison (Martin, 78), Scowcroft
Subs not used: Speroni, Freedman
Bookings: Phillips (West Brom)
Attendance: 17960
Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire)
