Buckie Thistle squandered the opportunity to move to the top of the Highland League table above Brora Rangers as they were beaten by a goal four minutes into added time.
Luke Barbour scored a dramatic winner for Keith at Kynoch Park to provide another twist in the title race.
Buckie left defender and assistant-manager Lewis MacKinnon, as well as 16-goal forward Chris Angus, on the bench along with new loan signing from Deveronvale Craig Cowie.
The visitors were quickly to their work and had an early chance when a short corner picked out John McLeod, but the Highland League’s leading-scorer snatched at the chance and the ball spun harmlessly over the crossbar.
Back came the Jags and almost opened the scoring with an Andy Low 30-yard free kick, but with Keith goalkeeper Daniel Bell beaten the ball cannoned back off the post and the chance was gone.
Two minutes later Buckie did take the lead when Kevin Fraser’s deep cross picked out Sam Urquhart at the back post and his downward header gave Bell no chance.
Thistle manager Graeme Stewart was soon sent to the stand, presumably for remarks made to referee Tom Shaw, and only a brilliant flying save by his goalkeeper Ross Salmon prevented Michael Ewen from grabbing the equaliser with a powerful eight-yard header.
Salmon was again called into action to palm away a long-range Courtney Cooper free kick as the Maroons pressed.
A mazy run from Kevin Fraser ended with Bell diving to clutch the attacker’s powerful 12-yard angled drive and Donald Fraser was next to test Salmon with a 12-yard shot as play swung from end to end.
On the stroke of half-time Ewen should have levelled for Keith, but shot wide from 12 yards with only Salmon to beat.
However, within three minutes of the restart the Maroons were back on level terms when Barbour’s well-struck 20-yard drive eluded the diving Salmon.
Back came Buckie and regained the lead when Kevin Fraser, looking offside when he blocked team-mate Andy Low’s drive, turned sharply and clipped the ball home from six yards.
On the hour mark a wonderful darting run from Urquhart ended with the former Elgin City, Clach and Nairn County wide man shooting just wide of the target.
Keith drew level again in the 67th minute when Ewen burst through and beat Salmon with a fierce 15-yarder as a thrilling game swung from end to end.
There was to be one more twist and deep into added time Kris Duncan’s effort was parried by Salmon and Barbour swept home the rebound from 10 yards.
The Jags are still two points behind Brora Rangers, but they do have
a game in hand on the Sutherland club.