Wayne Gray ended a 14-month drought in front of goal as battling Wimbledon twice came from behind in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Preston at the National Hockey Stadium.
He not only opened the scoring early on but pounced in the third minute of stoppage time to snatch a futile point for the relegated Dons.
Substitute George Koumantarakis looked to have secured victory for the visitors when he pounced six minutes from time, firing home from 20 yards on only his seventh appearance of an injury-plagued season.
But Gray beat Preston goalkeeper Jonathan Gould with a low drive in the dying stages of a match which saw the lead change hands three times.
Despite having their relegation confirmed following defeat by Sunderland in midweek, Wimbledon opened the scoring after only six minutes.
But Preston, whose faint play-off hopes rest on the outcome of their Easter fixtures according to manager Craig Brown, responded through Paul McKenna midway through the half.
These were two of only a handful of chances in a largely lacklustre opening period, but Preston were rewarded for their overall dominance two minutes before the break when Simon Lynch volleyed home left-footed.
Ben Chorley, who headed the Dons' winner against Wigan last Saturday, restored parity in the 65th minute, before Koumantarakis and Gray took turns to steal the limelight late on.
Just as Wigan were shocked by a fifth-minute goal from Chorley, so North End suffered an early blow this afternoon.
In what was Wimbledon's first meaningful attack, Gray bent a shot from the right side of the penalty area around goalkeeper Gould and into the far corner of the net.
It represented a welcome return to form for the 23-year-old striker, who had not scored since the 3-2 defeat by Nottingham Forest in February of last year, 40 games
ago.
McKenna responded for Preston with a close-range volley which was blocked by Wimbledon goalkeeper Scott Bevan, while Lynch fired wide from distance seconds later.
McKenna was more successful in the 25th minute, slotting past Bevan after being set up by Richard Cresswell.
It said much for the lack of entertainment during the remainder of the half that McKenna's strike was the last attempt on target before Lynch's well-taken goal.
Wade Small volleyed over the crossbar as Wimbledon made the first forays after the restart, while Gould had to be alert to keep out an effort from Gray.
The hosts' perseverance paid off in the 65th minute, though, Malvin Kamara - a replacement for Jason Puncheon early in the second half - crossing for Chorley to head beyond Gould.
Kamara was again the provider shortly after, although Gray fired wastefully wide from just six yards out.
Another substitute, Koumantarakis, showed more composure in front of goal as he restored Preston's lead, but Gray had the final word.
Teams
Wimbledon: Bevan, Oyedele (Hawkins 55), Lewington, Williams,
Ntimban-Zeh, Darlington, Chorley, Smith, Puncheon (Kamara 47),
Gray, Small (Harding 70).
Subs Not Used: Martin, Herzig.
Goals: Gray 6, Chorley 65, Gray 90.
Preston: Gould, Alexander, Briscoe (Edwards 33),
Michael Jackson, Broomes (Koumantarakis 46), Lucketti, Gemmill,
Etuhu (Keane 77), McKenna, Cresswell, Lynch.
Subs Not Used: Lonergan, Smith.
Booked: Gould, Gemmill, Edwards.
Goals: McKenna 25, Lynch 43, Koumantarakis 84.
Att: 2,866
Ref: G Hegley (Hertfordshire).
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