After leading 36-12 early in the second half the Terriers did everything they could to try and snatch a loss from the jaws of victory.

A 13 to four second half penalty count was the reason the Magpies came within two points of spoiling Gulgong’s recent home-winning form.

Co-coach Shane Weatherley said his side lost their head.

“The second half wobbles; we do it every time... I thought when we scored early on [in second half] we were going to go on with it, but I don’t know what happened then.

“As soon as you lose your head in a game of football then things don’t go your way.

“I’m very disappointed in our discipline... the referee is there to do a job and he can only see what he sees,” Shane said.

It took the game 50 minutes to come to life following Gulgong’s six tries to two domination of the first half.

Baradine leaked missed tackles in the first 40 minutes as the likes of Aaron Weatherley, Dion Hollow and David Morrison found easy gaps in the Magpies’ defensive line to score tries.

“Brilliant, it was our best half of football we played all year,” Shane said.

However, led by five-eighth James Campbell and forward Greg Larkem a resurgent Baradine brought the fight to Gulgong.

The Magpies had nearly 70 per cent of the possession in the final 30 minutes and were rewarded with three tries in that period.

Repeated infringements from the Terriers worn out the referee’s patience as two Gulgong players, Andrew Morrissey and Justin Ellery were sent to the sin bin.

About 15 minutes later another Terrier, winger Joel Worsley, was given a 10-minute spell because of a high shot.

At 36-34 in favour of the home side, Baradine should have taken the lead when Campbell broke through the line and had a speeding Jason Howe on his left; with the try line wide open Howe received the ball but spilled it forward.