A penalty goal by Kurt Gidley after the siren handed Newcastle a stunning victory over the Wests Tigers, possibly saving the Knights from the wooden spoon and knocking the Tigers out of the National Rugby League finals contention.
In a remarkable finish to the game at Telstra Stadium,rookie Cory Paterson produced a one-on-one strip on Tigers five-eighth John Morris with 12s left to give Newcastle a chance at snatching victory.
The Knights quickly earned a penalty when skipper Danny Buderus darted out of dummy half, Gidley converting from 31m out to end a seven-game losing streak and sink the Tigers' NRL season.
Newcastle can still collect this year's wooden spoon if Penrith beat the Vodafone Warriors tomorrow night, but that matters little to the club right now after weeks of drama in the toughest period of its history.
The Tigers appeared headed for victory when halfback Benji Marshall scored his second try on the hour and Chris Lawrence crossed five minutes later for a 24-12 lead.
But a failed field goal attempt from Marshall just over 10m out in the 71st minute opened the door for a Newcastle fightback.
Gidley crossed in the 73rd to ensure a tense finish, before winger Cooper Vuna took the game by the scruff of the neck.
He almost set up George Carmont in the 75th minute, only for Liam Fulton to drag the Newcastle centre to the ground inches from the line.
Gidley was then denied a try for double movement, but Vuna saluted with a chip and chase in the 78th minute to score under the posts and level scores with Gidley's conversion.
The Tigers led 12-6 at halftime, but after failing to win can now lament a second consecutive failed premiership campaign.
The loss by the Tigers ensures the current top eight teams - Melbourne, Manly, North Queensland, Warriors, Bulldogs, Parramatta, South Sydney and Brisbane - will contest the 2007 finals series.
