Halfback Mitchell Pearce scored a key try and set up another in his return as Newcastle held on 28-20 against Brisbane in round 21 at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
Pearce, who had missed the past three games with a hamstring strain, stepped through then showed strength to reach out in a tackle to score in the 38th minute. Jake Clifford's conversion gave Newcastle a 12-8 edge at the break after a first half of missed chances.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon, back in the side after being dropped for two games, scored off a fumbled short kick from Kalyn Ponga in the 46th minute for 18-8. Tyson Frizell had put Newcastle on the attack with a huge run.
Pearce then sent Mitch Barnett over with a short ball close to the line in the 59th minute for 24-8. Enari Tuala was on the end of a slick backline move to cross in the 63rd minute for 28-8.
Xavier Willison (67th minute) then Herbie Farnworth (73rd) scored to give Brisbane hope at 28-20 but the Knights hung on for consecutive wins to boost their play-off hopes.
It was a mixed performance from the Knights, who had possession for the opening eight minutes before the Broncos scored first when Tesi Niu twisted out of a tackle in the 13th minute for 4-0.
Shortly after the Knights lost winger Hymel Hunt to a head knock, Clifford put them in front in the 20th minute when he stepped through poor defence at a scrum to score his first try for the club before slotting the conversion.
Brisbane regained the lead 8-6 in the 26th minute when Niu put winger Corey Oates over in the corner with a pass that appeared to go forward.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Pearce's experience was instrumental in his side recovering from a frustrating start.
"Early we had a lot of ball on their line and I felt like we were frustrated and probably thought that we were entitled to score," O'Brien said.
"I think Junior was the one who calmed them down and steered the ship, and we finished the half much better, thanks to him.
"And I thought our second half with the footy down that half of the field - we did turn some ball over - but we were a lot more direct."
In a late change, Fitzgibbon returned and Josh King was left out of the squad. Barnett was pushed to lock and Connor Watson to the bench.
Newcastle, who were 11th before the match, moved to 20 points with four rounds remaining.
