The Vanarama National League South title race is now wide open after Bath City ended Torquay United's club record unbeaten league run.
Bristol City loanee Freddie Hinds gave the Romans the lead before skipper Asa Hall equalised for the Gulls when he headed home a Jake Andrews corner - to score his sixth goal of the campaign - shortly before half-time.
In the 65th minute, leading scorer Jamie Reid gave the Gulls the lead with his 19th goal of the season when he turned a corner from former Bath loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans over the line.
A 17th unbeaten game - as well as an 11th successive win - appeared to be on the marks for United on 72 minutes when Andrews was felled by Romans' debutant Leon Davies. However, Andrews failed to find the target as he blasted his spot-kick over the bar.
Ten minutes later, Andrews and the Gulls were left to rue their miss as Bath were awarded a penalty of their own when Hall was adjudged to have fouled Romans' substitute Ryan Brunt. Bath skipper Anthony Straker stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent Torquay keeper Shaun MacDonald the wrong way to level matters.
With four minutes to go, Straker turned provider as picked out Brunt with a left wing cross and Brunt then turned the ball home past MacDonald to give the hosts the lead.
Still the Gulls nearly snatched a late equaliser as MacDonald went up for a late corner and produced a cross which found Saikou Janneh, but the Bristol City loanee blasted over from close range as Bath clinched a memorable win.
However, despite the result, the Gulls remain top of the league as second placed Woking only managed to draw with St Albans City. Bath's win over United leaves them four points behind them in third place.
It could be argued that the National League South title race is now a three-horse race, with the Romans now very much in contention. Woking still have to travel to Twerton Park on 30th March and a week later the Cards host the Gulls at the Kingsfield Stadium - and there's even the possibility that two of the three sides could meet again in the end of season play-offs, for a one-off game that could decide promotion.
