Burnley scored a stoppage time penalty to break Aston Villa hearts in their Premier League 2 clash at Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon.
It looked as though the hosts had battled back to take a point moments earlier when Aaron Ramsey scored at the start of five additional minutes.
Villa trailed for most of the clash, with Joel Mumbongo and Anthony Glennon giving the visitors the lead either side of Louie Barry’s deflected strike.
And after Ramsey's equaliser, Max Thompson stepped up to bury the late spot kick and give his side all three points.
With the wind swirling viciously around Bodymoor Heath, an early corner deceived Akos Onodi and fell onto the head of the waiting Mumbongo at the back post, who had an easy job to apply the finish.
Barry returned to the starting XI after a spell on the sidelines, and he almost drew Villa level with their first effort on goal when his measured chip beat the ‘keeper and landed on the top of the net.
Minutes later the striker took aim again, and while this effort seemed destined not to trouble the Burnley stopper too much, a deflection off Glennon diverted the ball into the bottom corner to level the scores.
A hard-fought game was producing few chances, and it was thanks to excellent defensive work from Carney Chukwuemeka, who had tracked back into his own penalty area, that Mumbongo was denied a free shot at goal just before the break.
Just as they had made a fast start to the first half, Burnley flew out of the blocks and should have been ahead minutes into the second when Rob Harker fired wide when well placed in the box.
But the visitors did regain the lead after 62 minutes when they utilised the blustery conditions once again, with Glennon’s corner swinging into the net past Onodi’s attempted punch.
Michael Tait and Chukwuemeka sent efforts at goal as the home side began to build some pressure as the game headed into the final 20 minutes.
With the wind against them, gaining territory was proving difficult until a swift counter saw Ramsey break into the box and slot the ball through the legs of the 'keeper to level in stoppage time.
But the scoring didn't stop there as Thompson won the match from the spot after Onodi had felled Lewis Richardson in the box, smashing his penalty high to 'keeper's right.
Villa: Onodi, Kesler (c), M.Sohna, Bogarde, Chrisene, Raikhy, Chukwuemeka, A.Ramsey, Farr, Barry (Young 69'), Tait (S.Revan 73').
Unused subs: Zych, Walker, H.Sohna.
