Reynolds did eventually get his try off a Krisnan Inu offload seven minutes from fulltime to set up a thrilling finish but the comeback was over when Greg Bird managed to get a pass away with four defenders on him to set up Gordon's third in the dying stages.
Gordon scored his first two tries inside the opening 20 minutes, the second an acrobatic effort around the corner post, with Sam Perrett's reply the Bulldogs' only joy of a half littered with 16 penalties.
Man mountain Tony Williams was cut down just short of the line when a try seemed certain, while Trent Hodkinson did what his much bigger opponent could not as he weaved his way over from close range.
The Bulldogs could have tied it up at 12-all only for Krisnan Inu to miss a simple conversion, with Hodkinson inexplicably relieved of his kicking duties.
While frustrated at the number of penalties, Bulldogs coach Des Hasler refused to blame the whistle blowers or the men in the video box for the result.
"It was very disappointing. We didn't help our own cause - we certainly helped theirs," Hasler said.
"There were a number of times we had the game and were unable to go on with it.
"It was our opportunity to get away from that congestion (in the eight). We've got a tough fortnight ahead of us now."
They are likely to be without Sam Kasiano for that stretch at least, the big front-rower to have scans on a knee injury on Tuesday.
The Titans joined the congestion, and despite a nightmare run home which finishes with games against the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne, are now determined to finish the job.
"The eight's always there, and you can't say that you're not looking at it - if your team's not playing well the reality is there's not much point thinking about the eight," Cartwright said.
"There's light at the end of the tunnel now ... we've worked our way back into the eight and we certainly want to stay there."
- AAP
