Cessnock are now one win away from a Newcastle Rugby League decider while Central have bowed out of the finals series in straight sets.
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The Goannas defeated the Butcher Boys 22-16 in an enthralling minor semi at Townson Oval on Sunday, scoring 16 unanswered points in the second half.
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Cessnock, who finished the regular season in fourth spot, progress to meet Macquarie at Lyall Peacock Field in Saturday's preliminary final.
Central, ranked second after reaching the play-offs with a 10-match unbeaten streak, are eliminated and can no longer break the club's long-standing premiership drought.
The Butcher Boys crossed three times during the first half and led 16-6 at the break.
The Goannas responded in kind throughout the second stanza, pulling level in the 54th minute and breaking the deadlock soon after with a Sam Clune penalty goal.
Harvey Neville's try in the 66th minute gave the Coalfields club a six-point advantage, but a final result hung in the balance until the full-time whistle.
Central were without key regulars Randall Briggs, Warren Schillings (suspended) and Junior Roqica (injury).
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Josh Callinan
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
My name is Josh Callinan and I'm a sports journalist at the Newcastle Herald. I started with the newspaper in 2016 after a decade at the Maitland Mercury.
