Down and seemingly on the ropes at 20-6 after 35 minutes Pat Rosser’s men scored converted tries either side of the break to reduce the margin to 20-18.

When the Raiders scored again to lead by eight with 15 minutes remaining, rosser regained the restart to ignite a comeback which yielded three converted tries in 10 minutes to clinch a brilliant victory rated by astute followers as one of the club’s most defiant for some time.

Rosser and superstar Dennis Moran were again heroic, Moran taking the game by the scruff of the neck in the final quarter when the pressure was on.

Fullback Lincoln taylor landed six goals from as many attempts, including three from the touch line, while Chad Porter, Jordan Pope and hooker tino Ionatana played pivotal roles.

However, lock Epi Sadrodo, a three-try hero, was the stand out, backing up from representative duty to produce a barnstorming effort in both attack and defence.

All players did their job efficiently, including the four bench players, Steve Dunn, Joe Spicer, Matt Clarke and Jake O’Brien.

The win has the Spacemen well positioned in second place ahead of another home assignment next Sunday against winless Narromine.

Wins against both Dubbo sides in the first four rounds suggests the Spacemen will be there in September yet again.

Parkes lower grade sides were beaten in entertaining, free-flowing affairs which warmed crowd spirits on a bitterly cold day.

Parkes reserves succumbed 34-20 against the premiers after trailing by two inside the final five minutes.

The juniors were beaten 42-6.

Parkes went into the first grade contest minus Western Rams back-rower Jamie Szczerbanik who injured an eye in Group 11’s 30-14 loss to group 10 in Dubbo last Saturday night.

Lincoln Taylor, Epi Sadrodo and Jordan pope all backed up after their taste of representative football.

Sam Dwyer will return next week after a brief playing stint with the powerful Newcastle Wests outfit and will prove a welcome addition for the Spacemen.

Both sides struggled for early momentum, although fullback Mason Williams scored a good try for the visitors before the tireless Sadrodo responded for the Spacemen.   

Referee Hughes ruled a double-movement against hooker Ionatana in the 19th minute as the Spacemen improved their ball control, security and field position.

Macquarie capitalised on a Moran error after 23 minutes, hooker Jackson darting over for 10-6.

Four successive penalties frustrated Parkes as again Jackson caught the defence napping from a tap close to the line.

With all the ball, territory and a glut of penalties the Raiders scored again through Dickinson for 20-6, a lead reduced to 20/12 on the half-time siren when Moran floated a brilliant pass for Pope to score.

At the interval Rosser lamented the 7-1 penalty count and 40 percent completion rate and his side lifted appreciably.

The Macquarie lead was reduced to 20-18 in the 46th minute when Moran regathered a chip on the sixth tackle and a trailing Rosser put Brendon Paige over.

Just as the Spacemen appeared to be gaining the ascendancy, dropped ball proved costly against a scrambling defence.

An Egan try edged the visitors to 26-18 after 65 minutes before Rosser regained a short restart and four rucks later Sadrodo burrowed over from dummy half for 26-24.

Two rare penalties provided the momentum for the brilliant Sadrodo to again dive over from close range as Parkes led for only the second time.

Taylor goaled again for 30-26 with seven minutes remaining.

He then kicked another sideline conversion off a Steve Dunn try from a Moran kick to clinch a famous, deserved and important victory against the 2012 premiers.

The day ended on a memorable note with young “China” Creith celebrating his first double success in 81 years and ground announcer Wok Wheeldon’s famous full-time siren call.

Next Sunday, May 26, the Spacemen play Narromine in Round 5 of the Group 11 competition at Pioneer Oval.

Parkes 36 (E. Sadrodo 3, B. Paige, S. Dunn, J. Pope tries; L. Taylor 6 goals) defeated Macquarie 26 (D. Jackson 2, M. Williams, Q. Dickinson, B. Egan tries; M. Williams 3 goals).

Referee, Wayne Hughes.

Gate - $2473; penalties - Macquarie 10-5.