Southern United booked its grand final berth after downing previously-unbeaten Essendon 4-2 in the men’s State League 2 qualifying final at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday.

Despite leading 3-0 at the break, a spirited fight back from the minor premier narrowed the score to 3-2, before Jesse Workman iced the result with seven minutes remaining.

It was an extraordinary turnaround for Southern, which had been beaten convincingly 4-2 and 3-0 by the Bombers in their regular season clashes.

But it was a reinvigorated Southern side that took the field on Sunday, bolting ahead to an early 1-0 lead after a superb backhand finish by leading goal scorer Mark Scully after five minutes.

The next 10 minutes turned into a midfield tussle with Steven Duffield, Paul Layzell and Shane Campbell matching Essendon’s playmakers.

As United gained some ascendancy in the middle, it presented opportunities up high. Michael Pearce was particularly damaging down the right, pairing with centre-forward Rowan Yeo to earn a string of early penalty corners. After its first effort – a rising deflection – narrowly missed the mark, the Southern battery found the target when a variation to Campbell was deflected in, with Scully claiming the brace.

Another penalty-corner conversion – this time a direct shot from the battery – netted Southern its third goal.

Essendon made some opportunities of its own, penetrating the circle on a number of occasions but failing to find a way past United gloveman David Hammond. Hammond made a number of crucial saves late in the term, including a low stick save from a penalty corner flick destined for inside his right post.

Southern expected an Essendon revival and didn’t have to wait long after half time for the barrage to start.

The ladder leader had its first goal within two minutes of the restart, firing low from a penalty-corner variation to pierce the Southern stronghold.

Their second goal arrived in similar circumstances seven minutes later after a torrent of attacking forays heaped constant pressure on the United defence.

The balance of the match rested on the next 15 minutes.

Sensing an opportunity to equalise, the Bombers swooped and laid siege to the Southern goal with a raft of attacking plays. A string of timely tackles eased the pressure as Southern gradually wrested back control.

The drama continued with a yellow card to Scully, but was eased minutes later when Workman found space inside the circle to calmly slot home inside the left post.

The win earns Southern the week off, with Essendon to face Albury in the preliminary final on Sunday. Albury came back from 3-0 down at half time of its elimination final to defeat Kew 6-5 in extra time.