The Pies trailed by three goals at half-time but slammed on six goals to one in the third quarter to drag themselves back into the contest.
A fourth-quarter arm wrestle ensued, but an inspired performance by the Mowers’ backline, led by Sam Sheldon, repelled a relentless Rams outfit and helped Moama to victory.
Fraser Buchanan returned to the side to boot a timely three goals, with Jack Russell chiming in with three of his own.
Deni forward Todd Gallagher booted six goals in the losing cause, with Matt McDonald and Brayden Hall in support.
Pies coach Luke Eldridge admitted his side fell over early by playing to the Rams’ strength - their contested ball game.
Once Moama activated its run and carry however, it resulted in a slick run of play that propelled them in the third quarter.
“(Deni) play a better contested brand of footy,” Eldridge said.
“So it was just about opening the game up and getting some outside run.
“Once we opened the game up we were able to score fairly freely.
“Then we got sucked back into a stoppage game in the fourth quarter which didn't really suit us.”
It wouldn't matter - the Rams failed to chase down the two-goal three-quarter-time deficit.
Sam Sheldon, Fraser Verhey and Callum Doyle all played a big part in the win but Eldridge reserved special praise for Sheldon's defensive leadership in the face of a late Deni onslaught.
“He (Sheldon) just had good leadership,” Eldridge said.
“(Deni) came forward pretty frequently and he was just able to steady the ship, especially in the last quarter.
“Callum and Fraser, well they've just been consistent all year with their run through the midfield. They're smooth movers and they run all day.”
It's an important victory in the context of Moama's season.
Originally on the fringes of the six, Moama is now solidified in the top eight with one game to go.
But it was a win that capped off an emotional week for the club with one of their own, young gun Khy Stovell, currently sidelined in hospital after a road incident last weekend.
The club is rallying around Stovell and Eldridge said the word coming through was that his young charge was doing well.
“He's in hospital as a result of a motor-cycle accident, but he's awake and is talking,” Eldridge said.
“All the boys are really close to him and his brother (Zac), who plays off half-back for us - it was a pretty emotional day for him too.
“We certainly missed (Khy) because he was in really good form, but he's doing well and he's on the mend.”
Their roller-coaster season looks set to continue with NSW's state-wide lockdown casting the league's final home-and-away round next week into doubt.
As it stands, Moama is a game clear in eighth spot and if the last round is to be cancelled, the Pies will face Congupna in the first elimination final.
The Magpies are scheduled to face Tongala at Jack Eddy Oval this weekend.
An announcement on fixturing implications is yet to be communicated by the Murray League executive.
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