St George Illawarra Dragons let slip a golden opportunity to cement a top eight spot in the NRL finals losing 28-26 against Gold Coast Titans on Sunday at Cbus (Robina) Stadium.
The Dragons led 20-12 at halftime but a spirited Titans with nine players out injured and losing three more during the game, won the day.
The Dragons are still eighth on 26 points and now play Wests Tigers on Saturday, September 5, at 5.30pm at ANZ Stadium.
It's a game that will determine if they make the finals for the first time since 2011.
Manly are ninth on 24 points and have an inferior for and against record to the Dragons.
Cronulla Sharks play Manly on Sunday, September 6, at Remondis Stadium. A win by the Dragons will ensure they make the top eight or, if they lose to the Tigers and the Sharks defeat Manly, the Dragons will still finish eighth.
The Sharks are fourth and will secure their fourth place with a victory over Manly.
Dragons winger Jason Nightingale said on ABC Radio it was a disappointing performance after leading at halftime.
"We were ill-disciplined in the second half," Nightingale said.
Leader Man of the Match: Gold Coast Titans halfback Kane Elgey.
Best for the Dragons were prop Leeson Ah Mah, five-eighth Gareth Widdop and fullback Josh Dugan.
Widdop scored a 90 metre runaway try in the second half to out the Dragons back in front late in the game after swooping on a loose ball.
But the Titans forward Dave Taylor scored a try from dummy half to give the Level the scores at 26-26 with halfback Kane Elgey landing the conversion.
Titans winger David Mead was awarded a try in the second half, re-gathering a kick from Daniel Mortimer. Video replays showed he appeared to loose the ball, but the try was awarded.
Gold Coast Titans 28 ( David Mead 2, Dave Taylor 2, Agnatius Paasi tries, Kane Elgey 4 goals) defeated St George Illawarra Dragons 26
(Gareth Widdop, Mitch Rein, Benji Marshall, Mike Cooper tries, Gareth Widdop 4 goals).
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