The Magpies made the Bulldogs pay for their inaccurate kicking at goal, winning 16.4 (100) to 12.20 (92) in an upset that paralleled Kyneton’s victory against Eaglehawk earlier in the season.

Castlemaine entered the clash having lost six straight games - its worst losing streak in 11 years - while Gisborne had the motivation of atoning for its first defeat of the season the previous week.

But the Magpies kicked the last two goals of the game to secure a memorable eight-point victory in what may be the spark that finally ignites Castlemaine’s 150th season.

Gisborne had won its previous 14 games against Castlemaine by an average of 54 points, having not lost to the Magpies since round 12, 2001.

The game was halted for 25 minutes late in the third quarter when Sean Smith suffered a broken leg that is likely to bring an end to the career of the Magpies’ premiership forward.

Castlemaine was leading by 19 points when the horrific incident occurred with 40 seconds remaining in the third term.

Under AFL rules, had the game been held up for more than 30 minutes, it would have been abandoned, with Castlemaine declared the winners by 19 points.

But the game continued, with a shortened three quarter-time break in which the coaches spent just one minute addressing their players.

Castlemaine led at every change - by 10 points at quarter-time, 25 at half-time, and 19 at three quarter-time - but the resurgent Bulldogs charged back into the game in the final term.

With four minutes remaining, a Tom May snap put Gisborne ahead by four points.

However, the Magpies responded, with Steven Oliver and Jason Cordy kicking the last two goals to secure the win.

“It was a great win for the club, but the thing is, I don’t think we’re that bad a side,’’ Castlemaine coach Jamie Elliott said.

“I’m probably more relieved than anything because it has been a fairly tough four or five weeks, because I know the boys can play good footy.