It looked like Amanda Borgström decided for Kungälv when she lobbed in 19-14, then less than 14 minutes remained.
Kungälv had turned 7-10 against visiting Heid.
But three expulsions in close succession in the final stage meant that Heid could approach.
When the former Kungälv player Rebecka Karlsson, chosen as Heid's best player, reduced to 22-20 on penalties, there were only three outfielders for Kungälv on the field.
Even at 22-21 and 22-22, Kungälv was reduced.
When Heid got the penalty at 22-21, Linnea Rundberg was so upset that she jumped hard on the floor and then succumbed to violent knee pain and received treatment lying on the field.
Rebecka Karlsson was on the verge of becoming match winner against her old teammates when she put 22-23 with 38 seconds left but Maja Fredén fixed a penalty for the home team with twelve seconds left.
Heid's coach Christer Karlsson was so upset that a yellow card went up.
The whole hall held its breath as Mia Lagumdzija stepped up and through the floor threw the ball in goal for 23-23.
Season debutant scored goals immediately
In connection with a Heid timeout at the beginning of the second half at 14-11, Towe Andersson took off her coveralls and made her debut for the season.
She made an impression immediately and from the line Andersson pushed in the reduction 14-12 and got a personal dream start in her innings, her only goal in the match.
The teams meet again on Tuesday - then with Heid as home team.