Cowra recovered from a second half 2-nil deficit to force the game into extra time before winning 4-2 in the shootout, with Joe Lamond kicking the match-winner.

Lithgow Workies fired two attempts high from the spot and Cowra goalie Mitchell Thompson repelled another to give the Eagles the advantage.

Coach Gambrill said the win is his best achievement in the sport.

“It was awesome. I was so happy for the boys,” Gambrill said. “It’s great to get the result and reward for all the hard work. “This is my first year coaching but I’ve played a lot of soccer and I’ve never been involved in a better team performance, it was unbelievable.”

Played in torrential rain at Bathurst’s Proctor Park, Lithgow dominated the early exchanges and Cowra found themselves down a goal at half-time.

Workies extended the lead shortly after the break but goals inside the final 20 minutes to Will Baker and Joe Lamond brought Cowra back into the contest.

Both sides struggled to find a winner during the 20 minutes of extra-time resulting in the penalty shootout.

Lithgow’s players failed to convert attempts two and three allowing Cowra to establish a two goal lead which became unassailable when Lamond knocked in the fourth.

Gambrill admitted his side struggled in the opening 45 minutes, but commended the team’s ability to adapt in the second half.

“We had to put aside the pretty stuff and just grit our teeth and play the conditions. When we got the first it really lifted the boys,” Gambrill said before talking about the moments after victory.

“When Joe put that one it away it was on,” he laughed. “To lose in those conditions would have been hard to take, played in dry conditions we would have been the better side.”

Gambrill said he hasn’t thought about continuing his tenure as coach beyond 2016 but believes the side is in good stead.

COWRA 2 (Will Baker and Joe Lamond goals) drew LITHGOW WORKIES 2.

COWRA won 4-2 on penalties.