A Corey Norman field goal in golden point has sealed an unlikely 19-18 win for St George Illawarra over the Warriors after the Dragons forced the game into extra time with an 80th minute try.
Five-eighth Norman nailed the decider in the second stanza of golden point at Central Coast Stadium on Friday night to break the hearts of the Warriors, who appeared in full control when up 18-6.
In a frantic finish to regular time, Dragons winger Cody Ramsey scored in the final minute but Norman's potentially match-winning conversion from the sideline hit the upright to leave the scores level at 18-18.
The Warriors had looked set to bank a win before the Dragons were roused from their slumber to make their late charge.
Gerard Beale started the surge with a try in the 70th minute before centre partner Jack Bird touched down with six minutes remaining.
Warriors halfback recruit Chad Townsend had looked like he would prove the difference, on target with all conversions in his first match with his new side despite suffering an early shoulder injury.
In stark contrast, Dragons goal-kicker Norman kept missing all attempts, only managing a first-half penalty - until the match-winning field goal.
Townsend had one field goal attempt in golden point but it was off the mark.
Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who shifted back to fullback in the absence of Reece Walsh (hamstring), did all he could to get his team a win, running for 241 metres, including 84 post-contact metres, in his 23 runs and also had one line-break.
He suffered a cut face midway through the second half but avoided a HIA.
The Dragons opened the scoring in the 21st minute through Ben Hunt, who was among their best, but their attack failed to fire until the late blitz.
St George Illawarra moved into the top eight on the back of the victory while the Warriors remain two points outside.
