Leicester staged a miraculous comeback to snatch a thrilling victory against Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup at Welford Road on Sunday.
The Tigers were rocked when a second-half interception try from substitute Mirco Bergamasco took the French side 10 points clear.
But late tries from Louis Deacon and Dan Hipkiss and conversions from Andy Goode rescued a dire situation.
Tigers can seal their last-eight spot against Clermont next week.
Leicester's hopes had nose-dived when the normally dependable Goode missed three penalties and then threw the interception pass for Bergamasco.
But he made amends with a chip-through to spark lock Deacon's try and ended with a 19-point haul.
Stade had edged ahead with 11 points from David Skrela and drop-goals from Juan Hernandez and Ignacio Corleto.
Leicester, the 2001 and 2002 champions, can lose against Clermont but as long as they gain a bonus point they will progress as group winners.
Stade Francais made a brisk start but Leicester ignited the crowd early on with a dazzling counter from a line-out deep in their own 22.
England skipper Martin Corry and then Hipkiss fed left wing Geordan Murphy, who caught the ball and chipped ahead in one movement.
Leicester surged to within a few metres of the Stade line but the chasing Ollie Smith was unable to gather the ball.
Soon after on the opposite flank Leon Lloyd set off in space but was floored with a shoulder and earned a penalty, which Goode slotted over.
Stade were enjoying the lion's share of possession but squandered points when Skrela missed a penalty and fly-half Alain Penaud saw his drop-goal attempt drift wide.
As the tense stalemate continued, Goode and Skrela exchanged penalties before Stade centre Hernandez's drop-goal drew the French side level.
Another penalty apiece took the score to 9-9 and Skrela added a third on half-time as Goode missed his first kick.
Leicester spent the early part of the second period camped in Stade's half but Goode snatched at two penalties in quick succession.
England hopeful Harry Ellis came on for Austin Healey at scrum-half on 53 minutes but a stray clearance kick from Goode gave Corleto the chance to land a drop-goal to open a six-point lead.
It was short-lived as Goode rediscovered his radar but Leicester's hopes nose-dived when Bergamasco intercepted a pass from the Tigers fly-half and ran home from 60 yards.
With 10 minutes left Goode grabbed another valuable three-pointer to narrow the gap to seven.
And it was his chip which opened up Stade's defence for Deacon to romp home after good support form Murphy.
Goode's conversion levelled the score at 22-22 and a pulsating late sustained attack saw Leicester work Hipkiss into the left corner on 79 minutes.
The conversion took Leicester to a seven-point lead and one more score would have ensured qualification but victory was the first goal for the Tigers.
From the BBC
well done Tigers, lets hope we bring the European Cup back to Leicester
The Tigers were rocked when a second-half interception try from substitute Mirco Bergamasco took the French side 10 points clear.
But late tries from Louis Deacon and Dan Hipkiss and conversions from Andy Goode rescued a dire situation.
Tigers can seal their last-eight spot against Clermont next week.
Leicester's hopes had nose-dived when the normally dependable Goode missed three penalties and then threw the interception pass for Bergamasco.
But he made amends with a chip-through to spark lock Deacon's try and ended with a 19-point haul.
Stade had edged ahead with 11 points from David Skrela and drop-goals from Juan Hernandez and Ignacio Corleto.
Leicester, the 2001 and 2002 champions, can lose against Clermont but as long as they gain a bonus point they will progress as group winners.
Stade Francais made a brisk start but Leicester ignited the crowd early on with a dazzling counter from a line-out deep in their own 22.
England skipper Martin Corry and then Hipkiss fed left wing Geordan Murphy, who caught the ball and chipped ahead in one movement.
Leicester surged to within a few metres of the Stade line but the chasing Ollie Smith was unable to gather the ball.
Soon after on the opposite flank Leon Lloyd set off in space but was floored with a shoulder and earned a penalty, which Goode slotted over.
Stade were enjoying the lion's share of possession but squandered points when Skrela missed a penalty and fly-half Alain Penaud saw his drop-goal attempt drift wide.
As the tense stalemate continued, Goode and Skrela exchanged penalties before Stade centre Hernandez's drop-goal drew the French side level.
Another penalty apiece took the score to 9-9 and Skrela added a third on half-time as Goode missed his first kick.
Leicester spent the early part of the second period camped in Stade's half but Goode snatched at two penalties in quick succession.
England hopeful Harry Ellis came on for Austin Healey at scrum-half on 53 minutes but a stray clearance kick from Goode gave Corleto the chance to land a drop-goal to open a six-point lead.
It was short-lived as Goode rediscovered his radar but Leicester's hopes nose-dived when Bergamasco intercepted a pass from the Tigers fly-half and ran home from 60 yards.
With 10 minutes left Goode grabbed another valuable three-pointer to narrow the gap to seven.
And it was his chip which opened up Stade's defence for Deacon to romp home after good support form Murphy.
Goode's conversion levelled the score at 22-22 and a pulsating late sustained attack saw Leicester work Hipkiss into the left corner on 79 minutes.
The conversion took Leicester to a seven-point lead and one more score would have ensured qualification but victory was the first goal for the Tigers.
From the BBC
well done Tigers, lets hope we bring the European Cup back to Leicester
