St Pat’s led 4-1 at half-time at Bob Roach Field and while creating more chances in the second stanza, could not add to their tally.

It gave Zig Zag a sniff, but ultimately that was all the visitors got in the penultimate round match.

“We just got too complacent,” St Pat’s co-captain Jaden Ekert said.

“I think it was certainly a game of two halves for us in that game. Our first half was great – our ball speed was good, our passing was very, very good and we finished really well too.

“The second half they really put us under the pump. We defended really well, but they got two, let’s say dubious decisions, which helped them out. But that’s just hockey I guess.”

Brent Naylor scored a first half double for the Saints while Ekert and Aiden Charters found the mark as well.

Luke Shepperd scored off a penalty corner drag flick for Zig Zag, while Eli Shirt and Daniel Shepperd also got on the scoresheet.

Ekert said the style of hockey Zig Zag played made it hard for his men.

“Our second half would have been better if we kept our structure a bit better, but because they were all over the place it was hard to do that,” Ekert said.

“They didn’t really play with any structure, they had guys running left, right and centre – they were doing anything possible to get the ball inside the circle.

“But our defence was really good, both Prekash [Titheridge] and Hugh Brown had massive games for us.

“We had our chances in the second half too, but their ’keeper [Luke Thurtell] made some unbelievable saves. He made three really good saves off me – one from a corner and another two from the field.”

Though it was not the best of performances from Saints, the result means the Bathurst outfit will finish the season in the top three.

At this stage Ekert and his men are in third and look likely to stay there unless wooden-spooners Dubbo spring a massive upset over second-placed Souths next Saturday.

Still, third brings with it a home semi-final which will most likely be against Zig Zag.

The fourth-placed Lithgow outfit sits four points – or one win – ahead of Parkes and are expected to beat strugglers Bathurst City next Saturday.

“Zig Zag were fighting for a spot in the finals and we were fighting over second spot. That result cements our spot in the top three now,” Ekert said.

“We should finish third, but that gives us a home semi-final, which is a positive.

“It is a close comp and really anyone in that top four can win it on their day.”