NRL: Cowboys in huge comeback victory over Raiders

Johnathan Thurston of the Cowboys celebrates a try. Photo / Getty Images

Cowboys 40
Raiders 24

North Queensland have scored a stunning come-from-behind 40-24 NRL win over Canberra in the nation's capital.

The Raiders led 22-0 after 21 minutes and appeared to be cruising to an easy victory before things fell apart for the hosts.

Raiders and NSW Origin fullback Josh Dugan was forced to leave the field with an ankle injury in the 24th minute and did not return to the action.

To make this worse, Dugan's replacement Terry Campese, who was making his long-awaited return from a knee injury, lasted just minutes before he succumbed to a leg injury.

North Queensland spurred into action with quick tries to Johnathan Thurston, Glenn Hall and Tariq Sims before halftime.

The Cowboys consolidated in the second half with Sims scoring a second try followed by four-pointers to Aaron Payne and two to Kalifa Faifai-Loa.

NORTH QUEENSLAND 40 (K Fai Fai Loa 2 T Sims 2 G Hall A Payne J Thurston tries J Thurston 6 goals) bt CANBERRA 24 (J Croker B Ferguson J McCrone J Picker tries J Croker 4 goals) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Phil Haines. Crowd: 11,128.

- AAP