A hapless Daniel Oyegoke's own goal in added time gave Viktoria Plzen a narrow 1-0 lead over Hearts in their Europa League play-off tie at the Doosan Arena.
The home side were likely to have had the more obvious chances in the first leg in the Czech Republic, but Stephen Naismith's side looked set to be held to a goalless draw at Tynecastle in the second leg next week.
However, in the final six minutes of a completely unexciting game, home substitute Kadu's cross at the back post was converted by Oyegoke, who came on for Gerald Taylor in the 75th minute, into an own goal from close range to give the home team the win.
But based on the results over 90 minutes, I think the Gorges have a good chance of turning that score around in Edinburgh.
A 96th-minute own goal by Daniel Oyegoke sealed the victory for the Czech team.
There was a historic moment on the night as 41-year-old goalkeeper Craig Gordon made his 23rd European appearance for Hearts. Gordon surpassed Stephen Pressley and Henry Smith's record of 22, and also made a crucial save.
Naismith made five changes to the squad that started the weekend's Premier Sports Cup defeat to Championship side Falkirk, expanding the back line to three.
Captain Laurence Shankland, Frankie Kent, Kai Rawls, George Grant and Cammie Devlin all started but soon found themselves in the same disadvantaged position as the rest of Tynecastle's side.
In the 18th minute, Milan Havel attempted a header at the back post but Gordon reacted well and saved it.
A minute or so later he had a shot blocked by Pavel Sulk from 16 yards out, but defender Grant cleared the ball a yard from the goal.
In the 35th minute, Eric Irka's deep cross from the left was headed home by Havel at the far post, but Hearts were in control as the first half drew to a close.
Four minutes later, defender Rowles assisted striker Kenneth Vargas, but his shot went wide of the home goalkeeper past Marian Tverdon, and referee Sven Jablonski reluctantly called for a penalty, which was overruled.
Edinburgh tried hard and Shankland's two drives were blocked by Trevordon, leaving Naismith and his team heading into the break with more encouragement, with Vargas firing over the crossbar as the second half began.
But Gordon was again forced to save Sulk's close-range drive after Lucas Serb had burst into Victoria's Zambos box.
Plzen tried to score a goal, but Hearts held on tight.
In the 78th minute, Sulke ran at goal from 16 yards but was knocked backwards by defender Stephen Kingsley, earning a corner kick which was again saved by the defenders.
But all of Hearts' good work was ruined by Oyegoke in the last minute. But Hearts will believe this tie is not over yet.
Naismith: We need to utilize Tynecastle's energy in the second game.
In an interview with BBC Radio Scotland, Hearts manager Steven Naismith said:
“The dedication, the attitude, the discipline, the belief were all there. When you lose a goal so late, it's a blow. We knew it was going to be a tight tie and it's going to be a tight tie next week too.
“It was a late goal. Both teams had good chances in the game. You could argue we had the better chances, but this is European football.
“Sometimes you have to be disciplined and brave when you get the ball.
“I didn't think we did that from the start. I thought we were a little bit safe. We got a little bit braver. Our structure was good and we caused them problems in possession. Defensively we were okay.
“Ultimately, of course, we lost a late goal, but I think this game is really tight. It's going to be tight next week. We're playing at home and we have to take advantage of home advantage.
“So there are a lot of positives. It's disappointing because going into the second leg 0-0 I think we've got a bit of an advantage, but we know what Tynecastle can be like on European nights so we'll need that.”
