Temora coach Sam Elwin saved his side's blushes with a late field goal keeping their finals hopes alive, while handing Young a ninth loss of the season.

Young recovered from a 26-0 deficit against the Dragons at Nixon Park on Sunday before conceding the match-winning field goal.

Temora's 27-26 victory means they remain a win outside the top five, while Young is now seven points adrift.

Roy Jewitt said his side showed a lot of character and could have easily conceded 40 or 50 points.

"It was very disappointing, but it was a good effort, we didn't give in. They could have scored 40 or 50 points but the boys showed some character," Jewitt said.

"We started really poor. We were ill-disciplined and they were good. They had all the momentum but we got some tries and the tide turned."

Temora shot to a 26-0 lead during the opening half as they took advantage of Blake Hewitt being sin binned, but the Dragons conceded twice before half-time.

Young kept coming and when Jacob Lucas crossed for his second late in the game, making the scores level, Young had all the momentum.

But Elwin stepped up and nailed his field goal attempt from 40m out.

Jewitt said Young had chances and one try disallowed late in the game.

He identified Lucas, Sam Langford, Saul Lealaitafea and Jayke Hogan as his side's best on the day.

The Cherrypickers play host to Junee this weekend.

The Diesel beat Young by two points earlier in the year.

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