A last-gasp draw against fourth-placed Camden Haven Redbacks helped the team to realise its five-year plan.

Entering the competition five years ago, the club declared it wanted to be competitive in both grades of premier league. 

After achieving regular milestones as each season, Saints have shown that they are now a force to be reckoned with.

Under the guidance of coach Jason Fisher, the team has rewritten the history books this year with wins against Macleay Valley Rangers and Taree Wildcats. 

Saints lined up for Saturday’s home fixture knowing only a win would guarantee the semis spot, but anything less could hand Port Saints the chance to leapfrog them into fifth.

The Hastings side looked odds-on to take three points, facing last-placed Wingham Warriors.

Kempsey have held the upper hand over the Redbacks in recent seasons, but lay below them on the ladder.

It was a fairly even match from the outset, with both teams guilty of not playing their best football. 

The visitors struck the first blow with a clever finish in the 37th minute, leaving Saints heading to the break very despondent, realising they were playing themselves out of the semis.

Fisher tried to lift his side with one of his passionate half-time speeches, but this seemed to little avail with Saints resuming below par. 

Camden Haven struck again in the 68th minute to go up 2-0, and it looked like season over for the hosts.

Fisher made some changes and was rewarded with a penalty, after hardworking midfielder Blake Webster was fouled. 

Specialist Troy Ward converted, to restore hope for Saints. 

The hosts dominated the remainder of the match and their final reward was in the 90th minute, when Ward headed home a corner to make it 2-2. 

Saints knew the point wasn’t enough, but news soon filtered through that Wingham had done the job on Port Saints to send Fisher’s team into the semis. 

Ironically, the elimination semi-final, scheduled for tomorrow will be a re-match with the Redbacks at their Laurieton ground. 

The club’s reserve grade tie was the match of the day at Eden St. 

With neither side having anything to play for, it could have been a dour encounter. 

But the 80 minutes featured two goals, seven yellow cards, three reds, six punches and three points to Saints in a cracker of a match. 

With Saints again fielding a very young side, and having their best bench of the season, there was some good football from the home side that saw them finish the season in style. 

Well-deserved goals went to 15-year-olds Jacob Mickle and Jesse Polzin. 

After points in their last three games, Saints finished reserve grade in sixth spot. 

Saints Ladies kept their season alive, with a last-minute goal to Amelia Tyne being the difference against Camden Haven Redbacks, to win their elimination semi-final 1-0. 

This will see them play derby rivals Macleay Valley Rangers at 12.45pm, at Willawarrin, for a spot in the grand final.