A spirited surge by Orange CYMS couldn't steal a win at Wade Park on Saturday but it did make for an interesting finish as Lithgow Workies hung on for a 25-22 victory — their fourth in a row.

Workies’ coach Michael Rushworth has now set his sights on a top three finish with the win putting them just two out of the top three.

Workies enjoyed a 25-4 lead with 13 minutes to go but CYMS crossed for three tries in seven minutes to set up an anxious final two minutes for the visitors.

The fourth-placed Workies side was able to hold CYMS out for that brief period and they were expecting the home side to fight back hard.

"I think it was 24-4 at one stage and we went to sleep," Wolves coach Mick Rushworth said.

"We spoke about that, they'll always keep coming CYMS, and that is what (captain-coach Pat Gibson) has probably put into them this year.

"They have got that never say die attitude.

“We spoke about that at training during the week how they wouldn't lay down, they'd keep coming no matter what happened and that is exactly what happened."

Gibson was pleased with the come back from his side, albeit coming a little too late.

The opening exchanges were evenly split although CYMS five-eighth Matt Clarke made two line breaks in the first three minutes but he was unable to find support both times.

Workies took the lead in the 12th minute when pivot Blake Tremain-Cannon pulled off a great behind the back flick pass to put winger Josh Hook over in the corner.

Centre Gary Milligan then had just enough pace to beat CYMS’ fullback Tim Bassmann to the line after taking an intercept five metres in his own half.

This gave the Wolves a 10-nil lead and their defence remained steadfast in keeping score-less in the first half.

Michael Doggett then crossed in the 39th minute after an 80 metre team movement which got the score out to 14-nil at half time.

Rushworth praised the efforts of his team defensively at half time and the display continued in the second stanza.

Workies’ fullback Jonathon Van Veen added another try before CYMS could get on the board and the Lithgow defence could still not be faulted as winger CYMS’ Kurt Beahan snatched an intercept on his own 20 metre line and ran 80 metres for the try.

Workies’ Scott Fittler hit back with a try down the blind side four minutes later and Van Veen added a field goal to get Workies out to a comfortable 25-4 lead with 13 minutes to go.

But a Terawhiti Cooper try in the 70th minute got CYMS back in the game and another four pointer to Gibson three minutes later gave the home side a sniff of an unlikely comeback.

Interchange winger Scott Piper was then able to claim a big Luke Thompson bomb and evade the Lithgow defence to get CYMS within a converted try with three minutes left on the clock.

CYMS made an error coming off their own line after the restart and Lithgow were able to hold on for the two competition points.

Workies will be at home this Sunday when they take on the Cowra Magpies.