NRL: Broncos edge out Knights

Justin Hodges of the Broncos breaks free from the Knights defence. Photo / Getty Images

Broncos 17
Knights 6

Brisbane completed their fifth straight second half shut-out to record a 17-6 win over a luckless Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium on Monday night.

The Knights had three second half tries disallowed by video referee Chris Ward in the space of three minutes much to the delight of most of the 25,522 crowd.

Forward Richard Fa'aso was the first to be denied a four pointer, called back on a forward pass in the 66th minute.

Then Knights lock Joel Edwards looked a little stiff in the 68th minute with referee Phil Haines ruling he was held up by Brisbane forwards Corey Parker and Nick Kenny when replays were inconclusive.

A minute later veteran centre Adam MacDougall was ruled to have knocked on fielding a bomb.

The game was still on the line with five minutes remaining before Lockyer slotted a field and winger Jack Reed scored his second in the 78th minute.

Brisbane led 8-6 at half time and held on for their fourth win on the trot, joining Melbourne and St George Illawarra on top of the NRL ladder on eight points.

Rookie Reed and Matt Gillett scored in the first half while Newcastle forward Cory Paterson crossed for the Knight's only try in 11th minute, brushing aside the tackles of both Brisbane skipper Darren Lockyer and Beale.

Beale made amends with a try in the second half.

- AAP