Doherty's second penalty goal of the game proved to be the difference in muddy conditions at Nixon Park on Sunday.

The 8-6 win over Kangaroos has Temora level with their Wagga rivals on points, and points differential, with five rounds remaining before finals.

Temora were never behind in the clash courtesy of an early try by Jock Ward.

Coach Josh McCrone thought it proved invaluable as Temora held strong to bring up their fourth win of the season.

"It was a war of attrition, and you needed your gumboots and shovels out as it was that muddy, but in those sorts of games if you can score a try early and have some sort of lead it's a massive help," McCrone said.

"We were lucky enough to score first and then just rode a couple of penalties."

In conditions not easy for kicking, Doherty's two penalty goal attempts from close range were crucial.

While the win gives Temora a massive boost for their hopes to play finals football for the first time in over a decade, McCrone doesn't want to get caught up in their ladder position.

"Ladders look after themselves when you win games," he said.

"If we are good enough and win enough games we will be there.

"It doesn't affect how I prepare the team to play each week."

While not looking to focus on the ladder, McCrone was thrilled with the impact Tyler Madden has had on the team this season.

Especially after switching to the second row.

"We're giving away a fair bit of size in our forward pack, and right across the field really but Tyler stood up again," he said.

"Since he moved to the back row he's been enormous for us and was really good again."

Kangaroos have now lost five of their last seven games to be on the verge of slipping out of the top five for the first time this season.

Only their superior attacking record has them ahead of the Dragons.

Captain Zac Graham led their rally as he crossed midway through the second half to level things.

However they couldn't find another way through.

They face another tough test up against second-placed Southcity on Saturday.

Temora are looking to make it three wins on the trot when they face winless Brothers on Sunday.

Both games are at Equex Centre.

Temora have a tough run into finals with games against the top four teams, Gundagai, Young, Southcity and Tumut, in the last four rounds.

McCrone is looking to take advantage of some of their momentum.

"At this time of year if you want to do anything in a competition you want to be winning more games than you're losing," he said.

"It doesn't matter if you are Tumut, Gundagai or Southcity you don't want to be going into the finals series after a couple of losses so we just have to keep heading forward."