Substitute Sean Longstaff volleyed a last-gasp equaliser as Leeds edged closer to Premier League safety by twice coming from behind to dent Bournemouth’s European push with a 2-2 draw.
Ahead of Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea, Daniel Farke’s side moved on to 40 points -- nine clear of the relegation zone -- after Longstaff lashed home in the seventh minute of added time at the Vitality Stadium.
Bournemouth were seconds away from climbing to sixth place in the table following an 86th-minute goal from Rayan after James Hill’s own goal cancelled out Junior Kroupi’s opener.
But, in the south-coast club’s first home fixture since head coach Andoni Iraola announced he will leave at the end of the season, the in-form Cherries were left frustrated, despite stretching their unbeaten run to 14 games.
Bournemouth striker Evanilson thought he had put the result beyond doubt at the start of added time, only to be denied by an offside flag.
The Cherries climb above Brentford and Chelsea into seventh place in their quest secure continental football for the first time, while Leeds remain 15th following a fifth game without defeat.
Leeds arrived in Dorset having given their survival bid a major boost with back-to-back wins over Manchester United and Wolves and, perhaps, with one eye on Wembley.
Despite the forthcoming cup clash, Leeds boss Farke named an unchanged starting XI, while David Brooks replaced Rayan in Bournemouth’s only alteration.
The Cherries, who announced on Monday that German coach Marco Rose will replace Iraola at the end of the season, edged a tight opening period of few chances.
Bournemouth skipper Brooks threatened early on before Adrien Truffert fired a tame shot straight at Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow after Kroupi was booked for a rash challenge on visiting captain Ethan Ampadu.
Brenden Aaronson forced a routine save out of Cherries keeper Djordje Petrovic in the 37th minute with the away side’s only meaningful first-half effort.
Bournemouth were back on home turf following impressive 2-1 victories at Arsenal and Newcastle. Iraola’s side almost went into the break ahead but Darlow produced a fine stop with his right foot to deny the stretching Ryan Christie.
A relatively dour contest was in desperate need of a breakthrough and it duly arrived on the hour mark.
After dispossessing Ao Tanaka in midfield, Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi advanced forward before slipping in Kroupi, who finished via a deflection off Leeds substitute Joe Rodon.
Leeds should have levelled three minutes later but Noah Okafor -- seeking a fourth goal in three outings -- dinked against the base off the left post following a mistake by Hill.
The Cherries centre-back was not so fortunate in the 68th minute. After Ampadu’s long throw caused chaos in Bournemouth’s box, substitute Wilfried Gnonto fizzed the ball across goal and it flew into the net off Hill’s right heel.
The home team regained the lead with four minutes remaining. Former Leeds midfielder Adams, who faced derogatory chants from the travelling fans following his introduction, crossed from the right and Rayan side-footed into the bottom left corner.
Evanilson looked to have sealed the three points with an emphatic finish in the first minute of added time.
But that effort was ruled out and Bournemouth were made to pay in dramatic fashion at the death.
After substitute Lukas Nmecha almost levelled, a long throw into the box was headed away by Alex Scott, only for Longstaff to smash an emphatic first-time finish beyond Petrovic.
