Played in appalling conditions - after just a few minutes players from both sides were barely recognisable because of the mud - the match was a seesaw battle from the start.
After 15 minutes, Central created the first real opportunity when blindside flanker Daniel Dodds barged over but was ruled to have been held up over the line.
From the ensuing scrum, the ball was flung wide for winger Charlie Tiko to score a try in the corner.
Central then looked to have gained the ascendancy until an intercept and a 40m dash from midfielder Lachie Moore gave South Otago the lead.
However, Central continued to dominate possession and when Tiko broke free and the pass went to flanker Aiden Winter, a try looked imminent, but for the pass being called forward.
A penalty right on halftime by first five-eighth Charlie Hore ensured that Central went into the break with an 8-7 lead.
Hore added another penalty at the start of the second half before Moore popped up to score his second try of the match after sustained pressure from multiple phases.
South Otago held a 14-11 lead until late in the game and it was its turn to dominate possession.
Sam Young missed two crucial penalty opportunities which may have secured the win for his side.
Central was then disallowed another try for a forward pass, with hooker Angus Gibbens over the line this time.
The key point in the match came when, with just five minutes to play, South Otago's ill-discipline on its own line led to a yellow card.
Playing with 14 men, South Otago ran out of numbers on the flanks and Central winger Scott Milne scored the winning try.
South Otago put together an amazing number of phases after time had run out but could not get over the Central line.
Central's best player was Hore, who used his class and experience to guide his team to the win, while Gibbens and blindside flanker Dodds had big games.
The South Otago loose trio was in outstanding form, as was Moore in the midfield.
The focus now moves to the selection of the Otago Country squads, with the premier side to compete in a South Island tournament involving 10 teams, including Otago B, Otago Colts and its Southland equivalent in four pool matches.
