The Raiders' Hamish Astill had scored with only three minutes remaining and at 16-14 had seemingly knocked CYMS out of the running but a strong kick return from Kiyan Shaw set the Fishies on their way as they worked the ball 100m and Hall was on hand to hit a gap and dive across the line and the conversion sealed the 20-16 win.

"I thought we were in big trouble when they scored but we scored and to our credit everyone who needed to get the ball in that last set got it," CYMS coach Wayne Sing said after the match at Wellington's Kennard Park.

"It's heartbreaking for Macquarie because they were great today and made us work hard and they're a credit to themselves but we've got to work hard for Forbes now."

While CYMS' thoughts immediately turned to the final against Forbes Magpies, Macquarie mentor Steve 'Chicka' Merritt was left shattered after seeing the Raiders go home empty-handed despite being the better side for long periods of the match.

"I'm gutted, I can't believe it," he said.

"We were in the game the whole way then to get beat on the bell is heart-wrenching for the boys.

"That's the best game we've played all year and a couple of minor lapses at key times cost us but I couldn't be any more proud of them."

The Raiders opened the scoring early through winger Corey Marsden but CYMS hit back and tries to Mitch Dunlop and Nick Karydis had them up 8-6.

Jayden Merritt produced a barnstorming run for the Raiders and powered his way across the line to put them up 10-8 at the break.

The Raiders defence had been strong all day but it was breached during the second half as Joe Stageman's strong run resulted in a four-pointer and the conversion gave CYMS a 14-10 advantage.

Both sides committed many errors all match and both struggled to put any flowing football together but with only three minutes remaining Raiders' hooker Astill snuck his way across and his conversion sparked celebration among the Macquarie faithful.

But it wasn't to be as CYMS went the length of the field in their last set to score but it wasn't without controversy with a Macquarie player down injured in backplay only for the game not to be stopped.

While they kept their season alive in the most incredible way, Sing admitted his side can't afford a performance like that in this weekend's grand final against a very complete Magpies team.

"There was too many unforced errors, if we do that against Forbes they'll beat us well but we're looking forward to it," he said.

DUBBO CYMS 20 (Mitch Dunlop, Nick Karydis, Joe Stageman, Jake Hall tries; Hewett Haycock 2 goals) defeated DUBBO MACQUARIE 16 (Corey Marsden, Jayden Merritt, Hamish Astill tries; Hayden Kemper, Astill goals)