Turpin heroics help Broncos burst back into the eight

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North Queensland Cowboys v Brisbane Broncos

A last-minute try to Jake Turpin has seen the Brisbane Broncos stun the North Queensland Cowboys 18-14 in Townsville.

The win temporarily takes the Broncos into eighth position yet if we learnt anything from Thursday night's game, it was that they will be but mere cannon fodder if they are to stumble deep into September.

It was fitting that Turpin's try came off the back of a pass hitting the ground as if it wasn't for his individual brilliance, it would have been yet another incomplete set from the visitors.

The Broncos came up with 14 errors in total, often looking clueless in the opposition twenty save for a spark from fullback Anthony Milford.

Milford has been a revelation at the back but it has come at a cost with the move meaning that Turpin and Darius Boyd make up an unlikely combination in the halves.

While playing with plenty of energy, the pair were hardly convincing as game managers, with Brisbane's last-tackle options often leaving a lot to be desired.

Next week they likely line up against one of the game's best organisers in Panthers five-eighth James Maloney.

And with both teams tinkering on the edge of the eight it is simply a game they have to win. But they will have to be a lot better.

It wasn't all doom and gloom though.

Brisbane looked promising early as a late offload from Tevita Pangai and quick pass from Milford created space for Jamayne Isaako on the wing, with Milford scoring after backing up in support.

The Cowboys eventually hit back when Shane Wright cleaned up an absolute mess under the posts following a Gehamat Shibasaki error.

They looked to have hit the lead when Jake Clifford sliced through only for the play to be pulled back for an obstruction.

The young halfback couldn't be denied later though, kicking through and regathering to score a sensational individual try.

But the remaining 20 minutes of games have been an issue for the Cowboys recently, who have conceded seven tries while scoring one in that period during their last three matches.

And they fell victim to it once more on Thursday night.

The first try came in the form of a powerful run from David Fifita before Turpin broke through for the match-sealing try in the dying minutes of the game.

Brisbane will look to make it two-straight next week when they host Penrith while the Cowboys travel to Newcastle.