The Newcastle Knights have won a high scoring encounter 36-28 over the Manly Sea Eagles at Energy Australia Stadium this afternoon.

Newcastle looked to be in control 18-0 midway through the first half but by half time the scores were level at 18 all. Manly then again scored just after the half time break through a try to Steve Menzies and it looked as though Newcastle?s finals campaign was on it?s last legs but the Knights were not to be denied and came storming home in the last twenty minutes to run out eventual winners 36-28 and keep their finals hopes alive.

The loss ended Manly?s slim hopes of making the semi finals while the Knights sit just outside the eight on for and against but still have a steep mountain to climb if they are to make the finals as their for and against is one of the poorest in the NRL.

The result was not a good one for the Parrmatta Eels who failed to make any ground on both the Knights and Dragons.

Leagueunlimited.com player of the year points: 3 ? D Buderus (Knights) 2 ? S Menzies (Manly) 1 ? D Abraham (Knights)

Scorers: KNIGHTS 36 Tries: Hughes x 2, Perry, Buderus, Rudder, Macdougall, K Gidley Goals: Abraham 4/6, Johns 0/2

SEA EAGLES 28 Tries: Harris, Donald x 2, Menzies, Macdougall Goals: Williamson 4/5

By the clock: 0 min: Kickoff in a crucial match for both sides

3rd min: PENALTY GOAL - Knights. Daniel Abraham gets the Knights on the board with an early penalty goal. Knights 2-0.

6th min: TRY - Knights. Mark Hughes scores a good try to extend the Knights lead. Conversion successful. Knights 8-0.

14th min: TRY - Knights. Another Newcastle try. To Josh Perry this time. Conversion successful. Knights 14-0.

17th min: TRY - Knights. Danny Buderus, nice and fresh after a break has extended the Knights lead. It's a carve up and Manly are looking shaky. Conversion unsuccessful. Knights 18-0.

23rd min: TRY - Manly. Sam Harris gets the Manly on the board to put them back into the match. Conversion successful. Knights 18-6.

32nd min: TRY - Manly. Scott Donald continues his try scoring spree to close the gap on the Knights. Conversion successful. Knights 18-12.

39th min: TRY - Manly. Scott Donald has scored just a minute out from half time to level the scores. I thought Manly were gone at 18-0 but the Knights have massive problems in defence. Conversion successful. 18 all.

HALF TIME: Newcastle skipped out to an 18 point lead midway through the first half but it's been all Manly ever since and the Knights must be sweating. A loss today sees Parramatta and Manly brething down their neck and would really struggle to make th eight from here on in.

43rd min: TRY - Manly. Menzies crosses early in the second half to give Manly the lead for the first time in the match. Newcaslte have it all to do if they are to get out of this one. Conversion successful. Manly 24-18.

46th min: TRY - Knights. Sean Rudder scores a good try to get the Knights back on track. Conversion unsuccessful. Manly 24-22.

50th min: TRY - Manly. Ben Macdougall kicks Manly clear again with another try. Conversion unsuccessful. Manly 28-22.

58th min: TRY - Knights. Mark Hughes crosses for his second of the afternoon to keep the Knights in the contest. Looks like this one will go down to the wire. Conversion unsuccessful. Manly 28-26.

66th min: TRY - Knights. Newcastle take the lead in a see sawing match through a try to the rampaging Adam Macdougall. Conversion unsuccessful. Knights 30-28.

70th min: TRY - Knights. Kurt Gidley scores the match winner with just under ten minutes to play. Conversion successful. Knights 36-28.

FULL TIME: Newcastle have won a high scoring encounter 36-28 that will do little to have them playing with confidence in the lead up to the finals. The loss signals the end of the premiership campaign for Manly.