NRL: Field goal gives Bulldogs win by one point - again

Trent Hodkinson of the Bulldogs is tackled by Adam Reynolds of the Rabbitohs. Photo / Getty Images

Trent Hodkinson's 78th-minute field goal has sealed a 15-14 victory for Canterbury over a patched-up South Sydney in a stirring Good Friday NRL encounter at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.

It is the third week in a row the Bulldogs have won a game through a field goal and by a single point, with Hodkinson repeating his heroics from last week's win over the Warriors.

The former Manly halfback's kick from 30m capped a superb fightback for Des Hasler's side, who trailed 14-6 in the second half.

Already without the suspended Ben Te'o and George Burgess, at one stage Souths had four players off the field but, led by the outstanding Sam Burgess and John Sutton, they almost pulled off a heroic victory when Sutton crossed for a 64th-minute try, converted by Adam Reynolds.

However, tries from Mitch Brown and Corey Thompson plus the boot of Hodkinson, who was 100 per cent from four kicks, helped the Bulldogs find a way to win in a nailbiting finish.

The Bulldogs thought they'd scored with less than 10 minutes on the clock when Thompson's try was rubbed out by the officials after Josh Reynolds was adjudged to have run behind Greg Eastwood before throwing the pass to the winger.

The decision looked harsh and, to make matters worse for Hasler's team, Adam Reynolds kicked a penalty from close range just after Tim Browne had dropped the ball on the first tackle.

- AAP