Otago flanker James Lentjes crashed over in the final movement of the match to grab the victory for Otago in a pre-season match against Southland.
Otago probably deserved the win, scoring five tries to two, and showed some guts to come back when it looked like things were not going its way.
But there were some aspects of the match Otago would not be happy with and need to work on with the ITM Cup kicking off in just over a week.
The ball security was average from the men in blue and gold, especially in the second half, and it was too hasty at times, rushing the ball when a more simple option would have been better.
Otago coach Cory Brown was happy with the win and said there were some good points to come from the game.
''I was really impressed by the way we came back into it. We had the lead, then lost it and then hung on to come back into the game and get the win,'' he said.
''Some guys out there were playing their first game for Otago and performed really well. Despite the changes that we had to go through, they stuck within the structures and plans we have been working on.''
The continuity at times from Otago was impressive and it scored some nice tries.
After Southland first five-eighth Ash Moeke scored a penalty after five minutes, Otago No8 Ratu Dawai went over following a nice break from second five-eighth Tei Walden.
Five minutes later, fullback Tony Ensor scored in the same corner following off some nice passing that had been sparked by a strong run from rangy forward Josh Dickson.
But that was about as good as it got for Otago for at least an hour as Southland scored a couple of tries, one from the none-too-exciting rolling maul, to go ahead 20-13 at the break.
The first 30 minutes of the second half was poor from both teams. Otago failed to hang on to the ball and Southland could not break through the Otago defence, running across field too much.
Outside back Matt Faddes got Otago close when he scored under the posts backing up an Ensor break.
Faddes then became provider, breaking the defence to put winger Jack Wilson over.
But Moeke kept banging over penalties and appeared to have won the game with a penalty near the end.
But Otago surged downfield and Lentjes went through a small gap to score.
Brown said the second half was a real mixture.
''We showed some good continuity, kept the ball alive and the guys backed their skills and scored some nice tries. We played with a bit of ambition and intent.
''But at times we took the ball into contact and got it reefed and we can't afford to do that. Our kick-off receives could have been better too. We can't afford those errors when we face Canterbury next.
''But they are things we can work on and know how to fix.''
Brown said he had to be happy outscoring Southland five tries to two and the puggy nature of the pitch made play difficult at times.
Otago was hit hard by injuries and for the bulk of the second half Dickson was the side's only real lineout option.
Halfback John Renton twisted his ankle and left the field after two minutes. Lock Blair Tweed had a head knock in the first half, and his second row partner Joe Latta took a blow to the eye socket and came off the field early in the second period.
The side headed to the Catlins last night for a short two-day camp.
