Bulldogs had to come from behind twice against Dubbo Kangaroos in a decider which was grinding in the opening half before the two sides hit top gear in the second period.

Bulldogs captain Mark Elliott conceded he thought his side was gone when Roos took a 22-17 lead after a John Sinisa try.

“I’ll be honest, we were down there at one stage but two quick tries and that was the impetus of what we needed to keep going. It was a massive effort,” Elliott said.

“I think the time was up and we just managed to find a way.”

And find a way they did.

VIDEO: Chris Osborne's premiership-winning kick and the celebrations:

Three minutes into injury time, Bulldogs camped on the Dubbo line and eventually inside centre Mark Booth was able to bustle his way over to level the scores at 22-all.

This put pressure on Osborne to convert from 25 metres out and 15 metres right of the posts.

His attempt never looked like missing and as Bulldogs celebrated, the Roos players were left slumped on the ground with their hands in their heads.

Dubbo captain-coach Dean Matthews was disappointed, but conceded his side probably became complacent.

“Pipped by Bathurst. They’re a good club and congratulations to them,” Matthews said.

VIDEO: What the coaches had to say after full time:

“We did play well and when we had about a seven-point or 10-point lead, we probably thought it might have been enough.”

The Roos were up 15-0 three minutes into the second half on the back of tries to Aaron Frost and Josh Dodd, along with conversions to Craig McLean and a penalty goal from Dodd.

It was 15-14 with 20 minutes left on the clock after Bean Sheppeard and Brent Dennis scores and Osborne nailed the extras from out wide.

Bulldogs took the lead when Osborne kicked a penalty goal, but Roos moves back in front with four minutes left in the match when Sinisa scored and McLean converted.

VIDEO: Chris Osborne walks us through his premiership-winning kick:

As the game went into injury time, the Roos bench called for their players to kick the ball out but their requests were not heard.

Bathurst managed to get the ball and eventually put Booth over before Osborne kicked the match-winner.

“We were down and out with 20 to go and just kept fighting back, which is indicative of our year and the club. We’re very proud,” Elliott said.

BATHURST BULLDOGS 24 (Ben Sheppeard, Brent Dennis, Mark Booth tries; Chris Osborne 3 conv, pen goal) def DUBBO KANGAROOS 22 (Aaron Frost, Josh Dodd, Josh Sinisa tries; Craig McLean 2 conv, Josh Dodd pen goal).