KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - North Queensland scored three tries in the final eight minutes to escape with a remarkable 30-26 golden-point win over National Rugby League cellar-dwellers Penrith at CUA Stadium on Monday.
Cowboys centre Ashley Graham claimed his third try of the match in the fifth minute of extra-time to seal the club's first win in Sydney this year and retain their place in the top four, pushing the NZ Warriors back to fifth spot.
Penrith looked to have the game sewn up after centre Michael Jennings scored his second runaway try of the match for a 26-16 lead in the 72nd minute.
But the Cowboys charged home with tries to Justin Smith and Graham in the final four minutes of regular time.
Johnathan Thurston had the chance to settle the result in the final minute, but his sideline conversion swung just wide of the left post.
Thurston and Matt Bowen again starred for the Cowboys.
The win, though, will likely come at a cost with Steve Southern suffering a shoulder injury and fellow backrower Sione Faumuina expected to face a suspension for a vicious high tackle in the 41st minute.
Faumina was lucky to stay on the field after his forearm connected flush with the head of Luke Priddis as the Penrith hooker was being pinned by two other tacklers.
A groggy Priddis left the field, but returned later in the half.
Faumuina was placed on report by referee Jared Maxwell.
He will likely be charged on Tuesday, with the match review committee also expected to take a close look at several other incidents from a spiteful match.
They included an altercation between Priddis and Smith in which the Panthers rake was accused of using a forearm to free himself from a tackle and which prompted an all-in melee.
Monday's game was the third match this round to go into extra-time.
The loss virtually assured Penrith of the wooden spoon.
- AAP
