Neal Ardley sent Wimbledon through to the quarter-finals of the Coca-Cola Cup with the last kick on a night of drama at Selhurst Park. They edged home 4-3 in an amazing penalty shoot-out in blizzard conditions to earn a home tie with Sheffield Wednesday.
Wimbledon's hero was Dutch goalkeeper Hans Segers, who saved three spot-kicks - after conceding an own goal.
Two of them came in the shoot-out - from Jamie Redknapp and then Mark Walters. Earlier, he had beaten out John Barnes' penalty in extra-time.
Segers sent the tie into the extra period. With almost two minutes of injury time gone at the end of the first 90 minutes, Segers, under pressure from Robbie Fowler, punched Steve Nicol's cross into his own net.
Wimbledon just about deserved to go through to the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time - and extend their unbeaten run against Liverpool to six league and cup games. They were unlucky not to win their first tie at Anfield a fortnight ago and their confidence was reflected in an ebullient start, with Peter Fear cracking a shot an inch wide from Vinny Jones' pass.
In the 18th minute they took Liverpool apart with a smooth move to go ahead. Another superb long-ball from Robbie Jones released Fear, who crossed low for Dean Holdsworth to score.
Holdsworth should have had another when he blazed over. Then Liverpool were then hit by a double injury blow as first Mark Wright and then Jan Molby limped off injured.
Liverpool claimed an unexpected equaliser in the 36th minute. Scott Fitzgerald was penalised for his tackle on Steve McManaman and Neil Ruddock's low shot was deflected off the wall past Segers.
Rob Jones, Ian Rush and Fowler all went close, but with 20 minutes left Wimbledon went ahead again as another great ball from Robbie Jones sent John Fashanu galloping away.
Bruce Grobbelaar managed to block the shot - only to see it run loose for Robbie Earle to slot in from close range.
John Barnes shot over and in a remarkable scramble Fowler and McManaman had shots blocked.
After Segers' blunder, Ardley saw his shot fumbled onto a post by Grobbelaar, before Liverpool were awarded a penalty when Fashanu brought down Walters. But the keeper redeemed himself with his first penalty save.
Andy Clarke then missed a sitter for Wimbledon - stretching the game into the shoot-out. Fashanu, Holdsworth and Brian McAllister scored for Wimbledon, with Vinnie Jones missing. Ruddock, Barnes and Fowler were on the mark for Liverpool, but Segers saved crucially from Redknapp and Walters - then stepped up Ardley to end the drama.
Segers insisted: "Penalty shoot-outs - I love 'em!"
Segers admitted he blundered with the injury time punch, saying: "I went for it and lost my feet. Before I could get back it was in the back of the net. I was going through the ground at that moment - I just couldn't believe it."
But he added: "I didn't think that was it for us. Typical Wimbledon - we fight for every ball. We fought for that result. I was pleased with the save from Barnes, because I thought it was a well taken penalty. But I love shoot-outs. The secret is to stand up. There's always going to be one or two iffy shots that go in the middle. If you stand up with them you've got a chance."
Ardley, 21, said: "I didn't have any nerves about taking the last penalty. The gaffer had faith in me, he told me to just go out and take it - and if someone says that you just do it."
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