Eagles claw a thrilling win

Kambalda claimed their biggest scalp in years and marked the squad's arrival as a genuine flag contender with a pulsating last-gasp victory over reigning Goldfields Football League premiers Railways on Saturday night.

In one of the great endings to a qualifying fixture, the Eagles relinquished the lead with 80 seconds left but Jayden Bootsma goalled on the final siren to get them home by two points, 14.7 (91) to 13.11 (89).

In a remarkable finish, the final four minutes produced five goals and three lead changes before Kambalda, last in 2014, celebrated the club's second straight win with Bootsma's heroics.

Railways looked to have victory locked away when they led by 10 points with just under four minutes to play and Kambalda's Matt Hill was yellow carded.

But the Eagles stormed back when star recruit Kael Bergles bagged the last of his seven goals and regained the lead with Todd Coran's brilliant snap with 2.22 left on the clock.

Railways trailed by two points, but went back in front after Jayke Bennett calmly slotted the side's 13th goal inside the final minute and a half.

With one last roll of the dice as the clock ran down, Bootsma marked just inside the 50m arc with five seconds remaining. With no idea how much time was left, Bootsma played on and to the relief of the Eagles' players and supporters, kicked accurately.

The final siren sounded as the ball went over the goal umpire's head.

Bergles' flair for the dramatic included a crucial goal to put Kambalda back in front just before half-time, another right on the three-quarter-time siren and his freakish effort in the dying stages which turned the game. His match-winning display earned him the Anzac Day medal.

Bergles' efforts overshadowed those of Railways' Ryan Edwards, who bagged five goals in a losing effort, including three in the second term.

Railways' loss was compounded by an arm injury to Carl Armstrong and Adam Hussey was stretchered off in the third quarter.