Canberra 30
Penrith 26
Canberra kept themselves in the NRL semi-final race and looked to have quashed any hopes Penrith had at a minor premiership tilt with a come-from-behind 30-26 win.
The Raiders scored five tries to the Panthers' four at Canberra Stadium, leaving the visitors scoreless in the second half.
Marshalled brilliantly by five-eighth Terry Campese in the final 40 minutes, the Raiders took charge to lay on three unanswered tries.
They now move to 11th spot (22 points) and are four points adrift of the top eight with four games remaining.
The Panthers' loss keeps them in second (28 points), four points adrift of St George Illawarra who also enjoy a far superior for and against.
But the Panthers will be more concerned with their leaky defence then where they finish in the regular season after blowing a great start.
The sides went try for try early with the scores locked at 12-12 after 24 minutes.
Canberra centre Joel Monaghan and returning fullback Josh Dugan notched up early four pointers with Penrith hooker Kevin Kingston and second rower Frank Pritchard replying in kind.
Then a try from Sam McKendry in the 29th minute signalled a short-lived turnaround for the Panthers.
With winger Brad Tighe's 35th minute effort aided by opposite Daniel Vidot's attempt to prevent him scoring with his foot, Penrith enjoyed a second conversion attempt, Michael Gordon adding the extras and then another penalty goal just before the break for a 26-12 buffer.
However Canberra shook off their reputation as 40 minute faders, Vidot coming out firing with a try in the 42nd minute to close the gap to ten points.
Raiders' second rower Bronson Harrison followed up with a four pointer in the 52nd minute, and the outstanding Campese helped his side to a 30-26 lead 15 minutes from time.
Penrith scrambled to catch up with lock Luke Lewis held up over the line in the dying minutes.
- AAP
