I'm resurrecting this because I was researching a non-JavaScript way to do this. I wasn't into the key handlers, and the CSS positioning stuff was causing tab ordering to break since CSS repositioning doesn't change tab order.
My solution is based on the response at https://stackoverflow.com/a/9491141.
The solution source is below. tabindex is used to correct tab behaviour of the hidden button, as well as aria-hidden to avoid having the button read out by screen readers / identified by assistive devices.
Focus into this input:
1st button in DOM
2nd button in DOM
3rd button in DOM
Essential CSS for this solution:
.default-button-handler {
width: 0;
height: 0;
padding: 0;
border: 0;
margin: 0;
}