After allowing three sacks of Jeff Garcia and the quarterback throwing two interceptions, the 49ers came back from eight points down to tie the game with a touchdown and two point conversion with a second left of regulation.

Garcia, who threw two touchdown passes to JJ Stokes took the ball at his own 34 yard line with 1:52 to play in regulation. He then completed a 14 yarder to Stokes to begin the drive, converted a fourth down with a pass to Tai Streets and threw a 21 yard pass to Eric Johnson before finding Terrell Owens on a fade in the back of the end zone from seven yards out for the touchdown.

Garcia then found Eric Johnson open to successfully convert the two point attempt.

Winning the coin toss to begin overtime, the offence went back to work. Garcia and Owens hooked up for gains of 8 and 15 yards before Garrison Hearst broke free for a 31 yard run to put the 49ers in field goal range.

One play later and Jose Cortez made the game winning field goal from 26 yards for San Francisco's third overtime victory this season.

Despite getting little pressure on Carolina quarterback Chris Weinke, the 49ers defence held their divisional nemesis to just 25:21 in possession time and 280 yards in total offence.

Carolina took the early lead on Weinke's pass to running back Richard Huntley, before Garcia's 14 yard pass to Stokes tied it up at 7. Down 13-7 Garcia threw a second touchdown to Stokes for a one point lead.

A further touchdown pass from Weinke put the Panthers back in front. Brentson Buckner then intercepted Garcia and returned the ball to the 49ers 14 yard line. After the defence held Kasay's third field goal of the day had seemingly won the game for Carolina, before Garcia took over once more.