Charlie Daniels' late penalty gave in-form Bournemouth a third successive Barclays Premier League win as they triumphed 2-1 at nine-man West Brom.
The defender fired in after Dan Gosling had been brought down by Darren Fletcher with just three minutes left.
Gareth McAuley looked to have rescued a point for the Baggies when he cancelled out Adam Smith's second-half opener.
Albion had to play almost an hour with 10 men after James McClean was dismissed for a wild lunge at Smith as he looked for revenge following a tackle between the pair just 10 seconds before.
And Salmon Rondon was sent off in injury time after an altercation with Gosling to complete the late drama.
Defeat was Tony Pulis' 100th as a Barclays Premier League manager and ended the Baggies' four-match unbeaten run.
It also increased the Baggies' home woes as only Aston Villa (two) have won fewer points at home than Albion (eight).
But victory saw the Cherries sitting five points clear of the drop zone and they were the better side from the off.
Junior Stanislas' shot was beaten away by Boaz Myhill after two minutes before James Morrison drifted a spectacular volley wide from 25 yards.
Bournemouth bossed the first half without breaking down a stubborn and organised West Brom side who offered little.
And the game was drifting towards half-time until McClean's rush of blood brought things to the boil.
The midfielder had clashed with Smith just 10 seconds earlier after a 50-50 challenge left the Baggies man in a heap and, angered he did not get a foul, McClean dished out revenge.
He chased the ball as Matt Ritchie broke away and found Smith before hacking down the Cherries man to deservedly see red and leave Albion with a massive task.
The Cherries had already had 64 per cent of the possession in the first half and they ramped up the pressure on the Baggies towards the break.
Ritchie should have scored instead of planting a six-yard header wide under pressure from Chris Brunt - and they almost paid for the miss three minutes after the break.
Craig Dawson launched a long ball to Rondon, who controlled it well but saw his fierce half-volley turned over by Artur Boruc.
But the visitors deservedly took the lead on 52 minutes as Smith continued to be public enemy number one at The Hawthorns.
The midfielder was given far too much time to cut in from the right and he arrowed a low 20-yard drive into the bottom corner.
With 10 men Albion offered little immediate resistance and Stanislas hit the outside of the post 15 minutes later.
The Cherries looked comfortable but needed a brilliant header from Steve Cook to stop Stephane Sessegnon levelling.
Rickie Lambert was introduced with 15 minutes left as Saido Berahino remained on the bench until injury time to underline how far he remains out of Pulis' current plans.
The Baggies levelled out of the blue with 11 minutes remaining when McAuley glanced Craig Gardner's corner across goal and in off the far post from six yards.
The Cherries paid the price for not leaving a man on the line - but won it with three minutes left.
Gosling was felled in a tangle of legs by Fletcher as he burst into the box to allow Daniels to rifle in the spot-kick off the bar.
And Rondon was dismissed in stoppage time to compound Albion's woes after an off the ball clash with Gosling.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
Luke Edwards (?@LukeEdwardsTele) - " Charlie Daniels is a great example of why young players at Premier League clubs should drop down divisions if they aren't playing."
PLAYER RATINGS
West Brom
Boaz Myhill: 6
Craig Dawson: 6
Jonas Olsson: 6
Gareth McAuley: 6
Chris Brunt: 6
Jonny Evans: 6
Darren Fletcher: 6
James McClean: 5
Craig Gardner: 6
James Morrison: 6
Salomon Rondon: 5
Subs:
Stephane Sessegnon: 6
Rickie Lambert: 6
Saido Berahino: 6
Bournemouth
Artur Boruc: 7
Adam Smith: 8
Simon Francis: 7
Steve Cook: 7
Charlie Daniels 7
Harry Arter: 7
Dan Gosling: 7
Andrew Surman: 7
Junior Stanislas: 7
Matt Ritchie: 7
Glenn Murray: 7
Subs:
Danny Pugh: 6
Yann Kermorgant: 6
Tokelo Rantie: 6
STAR MAN
Adam Smith
He was involved in almost all of the flash points and ran The Hawthorns gauntlet after being fouled by James McClean.
It was a reckless challenge and McClean deserved to walk but Smith was mercilessly booed by the home fans.
He ignored the jeers to steer in a fine opener to give the Cherries some foundations and continued to work hard until the end.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Hot head James McClean got himself sent off to give the Baggies an uphill task. Angered by a 50-50 tackle with Adam Smith - where he did not get a foul - the midfielder then gave chase.
Matt Ritchie had broken away with the ball and the backheeled to Smith on the touchline to give McClean the chance for retribution with just 34 minutes gone.
A wild swipe deservedly saw the Republic of Ireland man dismissed and showed why he can sometimes lose his head. It was just 10 seconds between the first tackle between the pair and McClean's foul.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
Albion's home form is disappointing and only rock bottom Aston Villa have won fewer points at home than the Baggies this season.
They have won just twice in the league at The Hawthorns this term and rarely looked like improving that against Bournemouth.
The Baggies were booed off at the final whistle, despite almost snatching a point through Gareth McAuley's goal, and boss Tony Pulis must solve their home troubles.
VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Tony Pulis would have been furious with McClean's and Salomon Rondon's lack of discipline which means they will lose the duo for three games over Christmas.
The Baggies were out thought and out played at The Hawthorns by the in-form Cherries who deserved their win.
Eddie Howe has stuck to his philosophy and it is starting to yield results with Bournemouth having won their last three.
WHO'S UP NEXT?
Swansea v West Brom (Barclays Premier League, Saturday, December 26)
Bournemouth v Crystal Palace (Barclays Premier League, Saturday, December 26)
Source: PA
