Cowboys conjure a miracle to leave Tigers heartbroken

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North Queensland Cowboys v Wests Tigers

A penalty goal after the fulltime siren has seen the North Queensland Cowboys pull off a 27-26 victory over the Wests Tigers in one of the most remarkable games of the season.

Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat after Starford To'a seemingly secured a famous win for the last-placed visitors, a contentious captains challenge allowed Valentine Holmes to kick the Cowboys home after the bunker deemed Asu Kepaoa impeded Kyle Feldt from contesting a short kick-off with one second remaining on the clock.

Moving into outright second on the ladder following the result, North Queensland were well below their best in a match which saw James Tamou, a member of the Cowboys inaugural premiership-winning side, play his 300th game in first grade.

Getting off to a perfect start in a rare afternoon appearance in Townsville, Tom Dearden (2nd minute) touched down underneath the posts following strong work from Jason Taumalolo and Reece Robson with the side's first set with the ball.

Levelling the scores at 6-all with Luke Brooks delivering a superb pass to send returning outside back Brent Naden (11th minute) over for his first try in Tigers colours, the visitors snatched an unlikely lead midway through the half with Fa'amanu Brown (20th minute) burrowing over from close range.

Taking a shock ten-point lead to the change of ends with Brooks producing a similar pass for Kepaoa (36th minute) to cross in the corner, the Tigers managed to repel a late bust with Feldt deemed to have put a foot into touch prior to grounding the ball.

Conceding a penalty goal shortly after the resumption, which put the visitors up by two converted tries, the Cowboys struck back with Holmes (47th minute) using footwork to get the home side back in the contest. 

Tying the scores up at 18-all with Jeremiah Nanai (55th minute) streaking away for his 13th try of the season, the Tigers managed to hold their line whilst playing a man down after Ken Maumalo was sent to the sin bin for making shoulder contact to the head of Dearden.

Retaking the lead mere minutes after Maumalo completed his stint in the sin bin, Nanai (67th minute) capitalised on an error to race 50 metres for his second of the afternoon.

Seemingly wrapping up the result with Holmes kicking a field goal to put the home side beyond a converted try, Naden (75th minute) collected his second to reduce the deficit to three points.

Appearing to pull off a miracle with Adam Doueihi and Daine Laurie combining to send To'a (78th minute) over in the corner, Doueihi's conversion attempt ultimately proved costly with the ball fading back only to strike the post. 

The Cowboys ultimately had the final say with Holmes kicking a long-range penalty goal after the siren with the bunker producing a deus ex machina to the delight of the Townsville faithful. 

Next week, the Cowboys will face the Dragons at Kogarah on Sunday afternoon, while the Tigers will take on the Broncos in Brisbane on Saturday evening.