Mike Okwusogu kept Cents’ play-off hopes alive with a last-gasp try that clipped the Seahawks’ wings and left coach Shane Ramping ecstatic in a thrilling 32-30 triumph.

The hosts had squandered a 28-20 lead to trail by two points with the game nearing an end however, after Lewis Padmore had gained ground dfown the right Oli Fountain and Rampling took the ball on before wing Okwusogu barged over for the decisive score in the last move of the match.

Pompey made life difficult for themselves early on when they had two men sent off after failing to deal with a frenetic start by the Cents. Saints took full advantage and swept into a 10-0 lead with two tries from Fountain.

Cents’ winger Chris True was then dismissed for a high tackle and the Seahawks battled back with three tries from from Foster, Dugan and Madigan.

However, Cents’ South African winger, Jacques Steynberg, powered his way over the line either side of the break to put his side back in control and the game looked won when loose forward Jonno Elvin held up three players to burrow over.

Tony Newcombe hit back for the south coast club, Padmore responded for Saints but two further tries for the visitors gave them that slender lead before Okwusogo’s late winner.