Southland have notched their first win against Bay of Plenty since 2016.
The Stags trailed 7-6 at the break in Rotorua last night and hung on desperately before their game-breakers pounced.
Sean Withy nabbed an important lineout steal and a penalty at the breakdown with the match in the balance.
Then, lightning heels Michael Manson hit the line at pace and scored to seal the 30-25 win.
The home team dominated early.
Nikora Broughton busted the line and eventually prop Josh Bartlett crashed over.
The No 8 looked to have set up another when he toed the ball into the 22 and popped a pass to Veveni Lasaqa.
But Lasaqa had the ball dislodged by halfback Nic Shearer as he dived over in the final moment of the half.
Stags No 8 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa bumped off a tackler and got the ball to Shearer, who went over early in the second spell.
The home team replied through winger Ngarohi McGarvey-Black, who produced a powerful finish in the corner and slammed the ball down.
He was back in the action moments later. Fullback Kaleb Trask pumped the ball 70m into touch.
McGarvey-Black threw it in quickly, and Trask got a clean run to the line.
The Stags reclaimed the lead with a converted try from a lineout drive, before Manson’s dash sealed it.