A resilient Penrith have overcome a growing injury crisis to edge Canterbury 22-14 and move into second spot on the NRL ladder.
Fullback Dylan Edwards (dislocated shoulder) joined pre-game withdrawal skipper Peter Wallace (neck) on the sideline on Friday as the league's biggest casualty ward hit double digits.
But itwasn't enough to deter the Panthers from coming back from 10 points down, with halfback and stand-in captain James Maloney again the chief architect in a willing contest.
Maloney continued his stellar form for his new club, having a hand in all three of Penrith's tries and converting four goals from five attempts to steer them to their sixth win in seven games.
Penrith were down by four with half an hour remaining when Moses Leota powered his way over to steal the lead only for Moses Mbye to level the scores with a penalty goal not long after.
James Maloney prepares to catch the ball. Photo / Getty Images
But a Maloney penalty goal in the 59th and an Isaah Yeo try followed eight minutes later, before the incumbent NSW State of Origin star sealed the victory with another two points.
The game however was rocked when Panthers player Dean Whare caught Bulldogs player Jeremy Marshall-King unaware with a potential tackle of the year.
The defeat means the Bulldogs have lost four of their past five and are mired in 14th spot.
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The Edwards and Wallace ailments add to an overflowing casualty ward including Nathan Cleary and Sam McKendry (both knee), Josh Mansour (cheekbone), Waqa Blake (ankle) and Tim Browne (bowel).
Squad members Tyrone May (knee), Tyrone Phillips and Corey Waddell (both pec) are also unavailable.
Players exchange pleasntries following the Whare tackle. Photo / Getty Images
Wallace is the only player considered a chance for next week's home game against North Queensland in Bathurst, leaving coach Anthony Griffin with a maximum 22 fit men to form a squad of 21.
The home side got the early jump at Panthers Stadium with a penalty goal, only for the contest to swing hastily when Edwards landed awkwardly in a run and was forced out of the game.
His departure allowed the Bulldogs to wreak havoc down Penrith's reshuffled left edge, twice crossing through Marcelo Montoya and Will Hopoate to take a commanding 12-2 lead.
A late first-half try to Panthers centre Corey Harawira-Naera gave the locals some impetus for the second half, setting up one of their bravest wins in recent memory in front of a 13,765 crowd.
A fiery ending finished with a handful of minor scuffles, which included David Klemmer being sin-binned.
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