Kalyn Ponga returns off the bench in Newcastle's 18-16 loss to North Queensland

Kalyn Ponga in his comeback match on Saturday night. Picture Getty Images

KALYN Ponga returned to action off the bench as the Newcastle Knights lost 18-16 to North Queensland in Townsville on Saturday night.

Ponga had not played for five games after suffering a concussion against Wests Tigers in round two and was eased back into the action by coach Adam O'Brien, entering proceedings in the 27^th minute.

He got through the rest of the match unscathed, even coping with a towering Chad Townsend bomb that bounced directly on the top of his head.

In his 100^th NRL game, Ponga threw the final pass for a Dominic Young in the 47^th minute and was solid in defence and attack.

The Cowboys led 12-6 at half-time after Reece Robson and Kyle Feldt scored for the home team and Greg Marzhew crossed for the Knights.

After Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi was sin-binned in the 47^th minute, tries by Young and Lachlan Fitzgibbon gave Newcastle the lead midway through the second half.

But North Queensland edged back ahead in the 65^th minute when Tom Dearden scored and clung to their lead until full-time.

The result left Newcastle 11^th on the points table after three wins and a draw from their first eight games.