With scores 2-2 at the end of regular and extra time, the two sides embarked on an epic battle which saw every player on each roster line up for a shot.

Port United eventually triumphed 7-6 to progress this weekend’s grand final.

Rangers coach Dean Riordan was philosophical about the end result.

“Obviously you don’t like to lose but we have won and lost grand finals on the back of penalty shootouts so you are damned if you do, damned if you don’t,” he said.

“At the end of the day they are a crowd stopper. You can’t blame anyone for the way it turns out.”

Earlier on, spectators had been treated to a fascinating clash which featured multiple shifts in momentum.

The home side signalled their intent early on with some blistering play in the first ten minutes of the match.

Jarrah Wyatt made the most a pin point pass to send the ball past the goalkeeper and give his side a 1-0 advantage.

The Rangers continued to dictate play through much of the first half until a mix up between goalkeeper Shaun Glover and Jeremy Maher allowed Port to level the scores at 1-1 with 15 minutes to go.

It was the spark the visitors needed as they took control in the final stage of the half.

They hit the lead just before the break as a scintillating free kick from outside the box soared over the Rangers wall and into the back of the net to hand them a 2-1 lead at half time.

The Rangers started the second half as they did the first, stringing together some strong passes upfront to ask questions of the United defence.

Jarrah Wyatt displayed his versatility as a forward by firing a left foot shot into the bottom corner of the net to seal an important double for his side.

It was to be the last score of the regular game as the sides went tic for tac with neither able to land a knockout blow.

The extraordinary penalty shootout which followed reflected the even tone of match, incorporating numerous tense moments before a Port United finally emerged as the winners.

Their victory means the Mid North Coast football league grand final will be without the Macleay Valley Rangers for the first time in nine years.

Despite his team bowing out, Riordan said they have every reason to be proud of their accomplishments throughout the season.

“I was very happy with the way the guys were able to turn it around in the middle of the year,” he said.

“We were starting down the barrel of a bottom three but they really trained hard towards the end of the year to get the results we needed. Hopefully we will be able to keep most of our players when we have another crack next year.”