In the ultimate smash-and-grab raid, the visiting side won the game in the final kick of the match.
No ball, no territory, absolutely caned in the penalty count, it was a gutsy effort from the Highlanders to get even close in the match.
But they came out on top through a combination of top defence, composure under pressure and some inept Chiefs finishing and goal-kicking.
The match was locked up 17-17 with about 90 seconds left when Chiefs winger James Lowe was yellow carded for a clumsy tackle, which was frankly a harsh call.
The Highlanders kicked downfield and then won a penalty from a ruck.
Replacement first five-eighth Marty Banks calmly stepped up and slotted the penalty from 41m out, the fulltime hooter going as the ball sailed through the uprights.
It was one of the best wins under coach Jamie Joseph's tenure and he said the win came down to spirit.
''It was great character from our guys. We made a lot of mistakes but we showed a lot of heart and the belief we have in this team kept us in the game,'' he said.
''In the first half, with the limited opportunities that we had, we showed we could put something together. The guys played with a bit more freedom but we started giving away penalties in our own half and that put us under pressure.''
Helped by an erratic effort from referee Nick Briant, the Chiefs had all the territory - nearly 80% in the 80 minutes - but made too many errors and the Highlanders defended gallantly.
The home team picked up two penalty tries from scrums near the Highlanders line early in the second half when lock Joe Wheeler was off the field, yellow carded for an indiscretion at the ruck.
Joseph said the lock off the field led to those penalty tries.
''Up until then the scrum battle had been quite even but when you have a midfield back, Shaun Treeby, on the side of the scrum and a flanker at lock, Eliot Dixon, you're going to struggle ... we just have to remain calm in those situations.
''I know guys have expended a lot of energy but there is a sense of responsibility towards the team.''
Joseph was not getting too carried away with the victory.
''Sure, it was a good win and great spirit by our guys but it's only round three or four.''
Despite conceding those 14 points through penalty tries, the Highlanders managed to come back into the game and Banks slotted a penalty with four minutes left to even the scoreboard before his last minute heroics.
Best for the Highlanders were halfback Aaron Smith and midfield back Treeby while loose forwards Dixon and Nasi Manu got through plenty of work.
The Highlanders scrum was under pressure throughout the match but referee Briant appeared to have something against the front row in the green.
The Highlanders made a poor start.
They were penalised straight from the kick-off and, although Aaron Cruden missed the easy opportunity, he made no mistake from another penalty three minutes later.
The visiting team then lost prop Ma'afu Fia to a nasty-looking knee injury.
It was tough going for the Highlanders in the opening period.
They struggled to get their hands on the ball and had no territory.
But just before the 20-minute mark, the Chiefs were penalised for illegally knocking the ball down and Lima Sopoaga knocked over the resulting penalty.
He added another after 27 minutes and somehow the Highlanders were in the lead.
The Chiefs had a mountain of possession but kept making errors.
Treeby then sparked a try from under his own posts just after the half hour.
He grabbed the ball when it came back from a Highlanders scrum and ran 50m straight up the field.
From there, the Highlanders moved the ball through three phases and it eventually landed in the hands of winger Patrick Osborne.
The big Fijian ran a great angle from 10m out to dive over and score.
Sopoaga added a penalty right on halftime to give his side a handy 14-3 lead.
Highlanders v Chiefs
The scores
Highlanders 20
Patrick Osborne try; Lima Sopoaga 3 pen; Marty Banks 2 pen
Chiefs 17
2 penalty tries; Aaron Cruden 2 con, pen
Halftime: 14-3
Crowd; 13,000
