Penrith have recorded their 4th win in as many games to keep themselves in touch with the top 8, as they defeated Souths by 1 point in greasy conditions, 19-18 at ANZ Stadium.
James Maloney played like he was auditioning for a Blues jumper as he kicked the match-winning field goal from an awkward position to give Penrith a 19-18 victory over an understrength Souths sides.
In the fifth minute, after receiving back-to-back penalties, Souths opted to take a shot at a penalty goal, however Dane Gagai hit the upright from in-front and the ball bounced back into the field of play. Eight minutes later, Nathan Cleary opened the scoring with a penalty goal.
In the 15th minute, a grubber into the Panthers' in-goal went straight to Cleary, who dropped it. Cameron Murray chasing through to try and tackle Cleary, forced the loose ball for a try under the posts. Adam Doueihi converted from right in front.
Penrith responded just short of the 30 minute mark when they spread the ball left, where Maloney ran into a gap, drew the outside defender and then dished the ball to Viliame Kikau, who strolled through a huge gap to score a soft try. Cleary converted.
The Panthers opened the scoring in the second half, when Cleary kicked to the left side where Brent Naden made a great leap and catch in traffic, came down with the ball and scored to the left of the posts. Cleary again converted.
Souths scored back-to-back tries in the space of 3 minutes to get themselves back into the lead. In the 55th minute Damien Cook hit Liam Knight with a short ball. Knight ran a good line back in toward the posts and forces himself over for a strong try beside the posts. Gagai converted.
From the next set, Roberts got around the Panthers' edge defence, made a break, drew the fullback before passing back in-field to Gagai who run 40 metres to score. Gagai converted.
With ten minutes to go, Penrith scored to level the scores, when Cleary ran into the line before passing to Dylan Edwards, who caught and flicked a pass quickly along to Brian To'o who scored in the corner. Cleary failed to convert, leaving the scores levelled at 18 apiece.
With five minutes remaining, Souths got into a good position and Walker took a shot at the field goal, but it was wide of the mark.
A minute later, Maloney on the left side struck his field goal attempt beautifully and it sailed over to give Penrith the lead and eventually the game.