Unfortunately for Abercrombie FC they belonged in the latter camp following Sunday's Bathurst District Football men's premier league grand final.

It was instead Lithgow Workmans FC doing the celebrating under the lights at Proctor Park.

The visiting players and fans were joyous after overcoming a 2-0 deficit to force extra-time and ultimately claim shoot-out success.

Lithgow goalkeeper Sam Johnson produced several clutch stops in extra-time and one more crucial block in the shoot-out to cap off a special grand final performance.

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Abercrombie made an outstanding start to the match with two goals in the space of three minutes before Workmans started to claw their way into the game.

The Lithgow men found a goal a matter of seconds before half-time then took just six minutes to find the levelling goal after the break.

Both clubs weren't short of chances to go ahead but penalties were required, and Lithgow held their nerve to win.

Workmans captain Matt Nunan was proud of his team's ability to stay tough when things were looking dire.

"It was a typical grand final, we started the game a bit shaky. Two down was no good but we knew we had it in us," he said.

"We felt Abercrombie were playing for penalties and were tired, we were very unlucky not to end the game in extra time as we had a lot of possession and numerous chances.

"There's a great rivalry between us and Abercrombie. We'd beaten each other this season and it was good to see this game as the grand final."

Nunan said the club were in a good place right now and there were good things to come.

"There's been a lot of young guys come through second grade into this team as we tried to build first grade up again. We hadn't really been close since we last won."

Abercrombie took only 13 minutes to get on the board thanks to a rocket strike from Damien Booth from outside the box.

The AFC fans were still in full voice when Jack Press doubled the advantage almost immediately.

The goal came about from a strong burst down the left side from Mitch Curran, who beat two defenders before sending the short ball to Press.

Johnson made a stunning stop in the 25th minute to deny what would have been a devastating blow from the home side.

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That save sparked a Lithgow resurgence.

Ben Sheehan had a shot from the top of the box saved and Abercrombie were fortunate his dangerous free kick shortly after wasn't met by a Lithgow boot.

Just as referee Tony Wilds looked set to blow the half-time whistle Workmans found their breakthrough thanks to Brad Luka, who got on the end of a sharp Sheehan cross.

Press had a golden chance to push the advantage back out to two goals shortly after half-time as he found himself in a one-on-one with Johnson but the keeper made the stop.

Lithgow swiftly punished Abercrombie when Nick Young's header from a corner got it back to 2-all.

Abercrombie's Curran and Alex Finall each had golden chances from their boot and head respectively to put their side ahead, as did Sheehan shortly before full-time, but neither side got the breakthrough.

The hosts dominated the opening period of extra-time but Johnson was having a special night in goals.

Press had two attempts on goal stopped, as did Nick Press.

Lithgow had a couple of close calls of their own, including a shot which required the head of James Baker to tip it over the crossbar.

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Johnson may have continued his strong game through extra-time but his night was about to get even better.

He saved the second of Abercrombie's shoot-out attempts from Press to put his team in prime position to bring the trophy back to Lithgow.

Nunan, Daniel Stern, Sheehan, Logan Inwood and Luka all beat AFC keeper Nathan Maxwell to win the shoot-out 5-4.

Nunan was proud of his keeper's performance and knew Johnson thrived off the moment.

"Penalties can go either way but Sammy is a fantastic keeper. We hit our five in and Sammy done his job.. the trophy is ours!" he said.

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