Eoin Cody rode to Kilkenny's rescue with a dramatic late goal to get the Cats back on track in the Leinster SHC, securing their return to the summit of the provincial table.
Level eight times in a terrific second-half in front of 7,028 at Parnell Park, it looked like the holders might ultimately be held to a draw for the second weekend in a row.
But they dug remarkably deep when it truly counted and fashioned a 70th minute move down the right that ended with Cody shortening the hurl and batting to the net for what proved the winning goal.
Cody finished with 1-03 but his heroics were outdone by John Donnelly who turned in perhaps his best game yet for Kilkenny, scoring seven points from play and hauling them to a hugely significant win.
TJ Reid top scored for the Noresiders with eight points but only one of those came from play and he was surprisingly errant with a series of frees in the final quarter when the game hung in the balance.
David Blanchfield's three long-range scores proved vital for Kilkenny who will carry momentum into their Round 5 clash with Wexford, at home, next weekend.
As for Dublin, they will wonder just how victory eluded them in a game that was level nine times overall. Donal Burke scored 0-14 for the hosts while Conor Burke and Brian Hayes struck the goals that brought them within a whisker of a huge win.
Dublin will travel to play Galway in Round 5 next weekend knowing that a win will secure their place in the All-Ireland series.
Kilkenny boss Derek Lyng was desperate for a strong response from his team following the surprising stalemate in Carlow.
He was able to call upon Cody and Mikey Carey for the first time since the Round 1 win over Antrim following injuries.
Captain Paddy Deegan shook off a knock to
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