Cobden had its back to the wall, trailed midway through the final quarter and was facing an 0-3 start to the Hampden league season before it dug deep and breathed life into its campaign.

The Bombers’ work rate lifted and their run created havoc as they overcame a 14-point margin to condemn Terang Mortlake to its third straight defeat on Saturday.

Cobden coach Levi Dare said he was “super proud” of the Bombers’ 12.13 (85) to 11.10 (76) victory.

A Tim Horan goal at the seven-minute mark of the final term broke a stalemate.

Thomas Spokes then made it a two-point deficit at the 14-minute mark before Bombers’ cult figure Nick Harding put them three points in front 21 minutes in.

A Patty Smith sealer allowed Cobden to celebrate.

“The first two games, other sides have got on top of us and we haven’t been able to get back into the game,” Dare said. “But today we were able to get back in front.

“It was really great for us to have that sort of win. 

“Just for the boys to know that we can win those games is excellent. I’d rather win like that than win by 10 goals easy.”

Cobden’s fourth-quarter burst epitomised the ebb-and-flow nature of the game.

Neither side could take advantage of their swings of momentum.

The Bombers started better but rued missed chances, kicking 4.5 in the opening term to hold a slender nine-point lead. Terang Mortlake, which benefitted from a Steve Staunton purple-patch in attack, held sway in the second and third quarters.

“Every game (for us) has been very similar – tight first half and then an arm-wrestle at times and patches of the game where one side has dominated,” Dare said.

Dare said he sent a message to his players and they responded.

“I put it on the boys at half-time, gave them a bit of a spray,” he said.

“I could have given it the first two games. I think they knew we had to win this one and it definitely showed.

“In that last quarter and a half we really took control of the game, had plenty of run in the legs.

“We put Noah Mounsey in the middle and Angus Uwland was really super coming back in (from injury).

“He’s got that zip about him which really helped our midfield game and Tom Spokes up forward found a bit on the deck.”

Uwland said there was “an unreal feeling in the rooms”.

“To win in that sort of fashion, it’s hard to explain,” he said.

“It’s the best thing about footy.”