The lead changed five times in an absorbing, albeit mistake-riddled game, with the home team rejecting a stack of Hawks' attacking forays late to snatch a 9.11 (65) to 9.8 (62) win.

Raiders have a one-game and percentage break over the reigning wooden spooners with four games left in the battle for fifth.

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"It was a high-pressure game and that's probably why there were so many mistakes," jubilant coach Jarrod Hodgkin said.

"It was almost a case of who could keep the pressure on to turn the footy over and when one team dropped the ball, the other got an easy goal."

The last quarter was riveting as the teams slugged it out with the defences dominating as just three goals were kicked.

"We had all the play, I'd like to see the insides 50s because we looked like we were in control in that last quarter," Rovers' coach Daryn Cresswell said.

"A couple of times going forward we just slaughtered the footy."

With just under four minutes left, Rovers were streaming forward and faced a three-on-one, but a poor kick allowed defender Cooper Daly an opportunity and he pounced superbly, clearing the ball.

On another occasion, Raider Daniel Bowles was outnumbered, but just willed himself to win the ball.

"I knew if I won that possession, we were out," he said.

"If we lost that (game), we can't make finals, it was win or out."

And there were numerous other examples of critical plays, in particular from twins Jordan and Zac Rouse.

But the coach drove that desperation for best on ground.

In a low-scoring game, he nailed a set shot from 35m in the second quarter and then provided strong work for two more chances.

In the third, a handball allowed Connor Newnham a sitter and another clever kick provided the impressive Ethan Boxall with one of his four.

And that desire was reflected when Hayden Clarke wanted the ball more and roved a superb goal.

Lachie Flagg, Daly and Bowles also showed composure in defence.

It's the ninth time Rovers have had a game decided by three goals or less and they've lost five.

Former Raider Tom McCaffrey was superb with two, celebrating one in front of the home supporters.

Nick Murray, Nathan Cooper and Sean O'Keeffe (two goals) were terrific.

The Hawks suffered when ruckman Ed Dayman again dislocated his shoulder in the third and Raiders kicked three late goals.

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