Victory over second-placed Sheffield United in the all-Yorkshire clash at Bramall Lane strengthened fallen giants Leeds' bid to return to the lucrative Premier League with only the top two guaranteed promotion to the top flight.
This win lifted Leeds seven points clear of third-placed Burnley, with 12 league games remaining, but defeat for the Blades left them a mere two points ahead of the Clarets.
An own-goal from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier gave the Blades an early lead they kept until the 72nd minute.
But after Junior Firpo had headed Leeds level, Tanaka and Piroe struck in the final three minutes of the game.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke was serving a touchline ban Monday after receiving his third yellow card of the season for celebrating his side's stoppage-time winner against Sunderland last week.
The German looked on from the television gantry as Leeds goalkeeper Meslier endured a nightmare start to the match.
The Frenchman had already dropped two crosses and flapped at a corner which led to a goal-line clearance when a further piece of play was punished with a Blades goal in the 14th minute.
Callum O'Hare's header from Ben Brereton Diaz's cross was tipped onto the crossbar and down onto the goal-line by Meslier and when Tyrese Campbell headed the rebound against a post, the Leeds keeper parried the ball into his own net.
The Blades 1-0 lead remained intact until Leeds equalised 18 minutes before full-time thanks to Firpo's powerful header from Dan James's cross.
Blades goalkeeper Michael Cooper produced a fine save from substitute Wilfried Gnonto's curling shot, but Leeds were not to be denied.
Tanaka headed into the top corner two minutes from time following Firpo's header from substitute Joe Rothwell's corner to spark delirious scenes among the travelling fans.
Piroe then put the result beyond doubt in the 90th minute with a powerful shot.