NRL: Canterbury run down Newcastle

Kerrod Holland (left) of the Bulldogs is congratulated by Josh Reynolds after he kicked the winning conversion during the round 18 NRL match. Photo / AAP

Bulldogs 20
Knights 18

Canterbury produced one of the great modern NRL comebacks to break Newcastle hearts at Belmore Sports Ground last night.

The Knights looked headed for the biggest upset of the season when they were up by 10 points with five minutes to go - until the Bulldogs powered home.

After Marcelo Montoya crossed with four minutes to go, Brock Lamb booted it into the legs of Moses Mbye, who raced 70m to score and even up the scores in the 80th minute.

Kerrod Holland converted from the sidelines to take a two-point lead and help local junior Josh Reynolds celebrate his last game at Belmore in style.

The Knights had a chance to send it to golden point after the sideline kick when Reynolds was penalised for pushing Chanel Mata'utia off the ball from the kickoff. But Lamb's kick was far too low and sailed well to the left of the uprights.

After the Bulldogs carried an 8-6 lead into halftime, Trent Hodkinson evened up the scores nine minutes after the break with a penalty goal.

It appeared Hodkinson was set to come back to haunt his former club after he set up Chanel and Peter Mata'utia in the space of eight minutes to take a surprise lead.

However, the Bulldogs, despite being without five of their biggest names in Josh Jackson, David Klemmer, James Graham, Brett Morris and Greg Eastwood, found enough to break a two-game losing streak.

The Bulldogs climb to 13th, while the Knights remain last.