SAN JOSE, Calif. (Ticker) -- The San Jose Earthquakes remained atop the MLS standings with a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Crew on an own goal in overtime.

Edson Buddle scored twice to force the extra period, but it was a bizarre tally in the 97th minute that proved the difference.

Ramiro Corrales made a drifting pass to the far goalpost, where Ariel Graziani nodded the ball back across the net. Goalkeeper Jon Busch scrambled to cover the potentially dangerous ball, but a collision with defender Brian Dunseth sent it into the back of the net.

Buddle, reigning MLS Player of the Month, started Columbus' comeback in the 59th minute. Benefiting from an odd deflection off defender Troy Dayak, Buddle turned and shot past 'keeper Joe Cannon to make it 3-2.

In the 82nd minute, Buddle converted a pass from Robert Warzycha for the equalizer.

But the Crew ended up shorthanded in overtime after defender Chad McCarty was shown his second yellow card of the night.

The Earthquakes took the lead on Eddie Robinson's goal in the fourth minute. Richard Mulrooney's corner dropped into the center of the penalty area, where Robinson stepped into open space and hammered it past Busch for his second goal of the season.

San Jose doubled the lead in the 22nd minute off another restart by Mulrooney. His kick from 30 yards bounced high enough for midfielder Ronnie Ekelund to get off a solid strike, rising over the defensive wall but dipping just under the crossbar and out of Busch's reach.

The Crew got back a goal in the 28th minute on a heads-up play by Brian McBride, whose alert chip pass put the ball into space behind Cannon. Charging down the field, Jeff Cunningham got behind the 'keeper and slotted the bouncing ball into the back of the net.

A breakaway goal by Graziani gave the Quakes a 3-1 lead in the 53rd minute.