While Souths coach Ray Winwood-Smith said the Panthers players deserved the win on their home turf, the semi-final was not without controversy.

In the second half at a point when Panthers held a 2-1 lead, Souths had the ideal chance to draw level when awarded a penalty stroke.

Adam Campbell, who had scored earlier for Souths in a goal mouth scramble, was lining up for the attempt when he was halted.

“We were lining up for a stroke when one of the umpires came down and decided to overrule the stroke when we were on the dot and ready to take it,” Winwood-Smith said.

“The stroke was given, all the players fell back ready for the stroke and Adam Campbell was there and ready to take it.

“If he scored it would have made it 2-all and the struggle we had was that it was over two minutes from when the stroke was awarded to when it was overruled … what it did then was just upset everyone.

“But we had our chances, Panthers were pretty rattled by what we did today and it was a good game. I wasn’t disappointed by my guys, they played exceptionally well.”

Having won the minor premiership, Panthers had hosting rights for Saturday’s grand final qualifier.

In what was a close contest throughout, Panthers were the first to score from penalty corner.

That gave the hosts a 1-0 lead at half-time and while Campbell was able to level scores after play resumed, Panthers struck again to hold a 2-1 advantage.

That goal came from a penalty corner, as did the effort to seal Panthers’ victory. Nic Milne, Taylor Dolbel and Mick Charlton all got on the scoresheet for Lithgow.

Souths struck the post twice during the match, with Jono Baillie coming desperately close when his deflected attempt hit the crossbar in a penalty corner play.

The ball dropped down just in front of the line, then was cleared by a Panthers defender.

“It was a good game, it was tight and the calibre of the game was really high,” Winwood-Smith said.

“All of their three goals came off short corners, so their set pieces were really good.

“It was intense and it was smart hockey too, I think both teams had done their home work.

“Rudgey [goalkeeper John Rudge] was busy today, he played very well, but no-one played badly for us today, it was that sort of a high calibre game. 

“I am not disappointed, but I am a little bit frustrated … we are not down and out.”

Souths will now face Lithgow Zig Zag in this Saturday’s preliminary final.