A field goal to Matt Burton in golden point has delivered the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs a 13-12 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in one of the games of the season.
Nailing a match winner for the second time in as many weeks to extend the Bulldogs unbeaten record to seven wins at home this season, Burton fell short with three attempts before landing his fourth to the delight of 27,223 supporters in attendance at Accor Stadium.
In a tight opening which saw Roger Tuivasa-Sheck denied an early four-pointer for a knock-on in the lead up, the Bulldogs struck first midway through the half when Burton swooped onto a Te Maire Martin pass and found Bronson Xerri (20th minute) in support for first points.
The home side's joy was short lived when Sam Hughes knocked on from the kick-off and a scrum play allowed the visitors to shift the ball right, allowing Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (22nd minute) to perform an acrobatic put-down for his ninth try of the season.
The Warriors continued to build pressure which translated on the scoreboard with former Bulldogs outside back Marcelo Montoya (28ths minute) powering his way over in the opposite corner.
The Bulldogs were unable to make the most of attacking opportunity late in the half as a penalty goal to Adam Pompey after the halftime siren sent the Warriors to the sheds leading 12-6.
The Warriors lead on the scoreboard came at a cost with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (calf) and Watene-Zelezniak (HIA) ruled out of the game, and Montoya (groin) remaining on the field, despite being inconvenienced, before being replaced in the final quarter.
Taking advantage of a penalty from inside their own half, the Bulldogs made the most of good field position with Toby Sexton executing a well-placed bomb for Viliame Kikau (56th minute) to level the scores up at 12-all.
With both teams unable to land a knockout blow close to the goal line, including Warriors debutant Leka Halasima busting down the sideline only to be held up over the tryline, Te Maire Martin attempted to break the deadlock only for his field goal to be charged down.
In response, Burton looked certain to seal the result only for his shot to ricochet off the posts, resulting in the match going to golden point.
As both teams played for field position in an attempt to ice the result, Chanel Harris-Tavita missed with two attempts in the first half of golden point, while Burton did likewise with his sole shot.
With the clock running down and a draw looking likely, a charge down on Burton's third attempt gave the Bulldogs the field position needed for the five-eighth to land the decisive score in the 87th minute.
Next week, the Bulldogs will have their third - and final - bye, while the Warriors will have their second bye of the season.