North Queensland has produced a brilliant second-half comeback to notch its first win of the season with a memorable 28-20 win over Penrith at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Saturday night.
Trailing 20-8 midway through the second half, the Cowboys scored three tries in eight second-half minutes to turn the game in their favour.
The match was brought forward two hours because of cyclone fears in North Queensland.
But the Panthers' main concern emerged in the shape of Cowboys halfback Johnathan Thurston, who blew Penrith away by setting up three of the home side's four tries.
While Willie Mason was playing his first home game for his new club it was his forward partner Scott Bolton who left the biggest impression crossing for two second-half tries.
The Panthers had won nine of their last 12 matches in Townsville and it looked as though that good record would continue when they led by 12 points well into the second half.
But for the second week in a row the Cowboys fought back well and this time went on with the job.
The scoring started in just the third minute when Panthers winger Michael Gordon slotted over a penalty goal for a 2-0 lead.
The Panthers were enjoying most of the early possession and field position and made it count just five minutes later through a try to lock Luke Lewis.
Hooker Kevin Kingston, playing just his second game for the club since joining from Parramatta this season, darted across field before a nice inside pass to Lewis who charged over.
The visitors almost increased their lead even further when Adrian Purtell touched down following up a kick in the 16th minute only for the video referee to rule Shane Elford had knocked on in the lead-up.
The Cowboys got on the board soon after through a Thurston penalty goal but Penrith increased its lead again through a smart try to half back Luke Walsh.
The crafty red head ran the ball on the last tackle and combined well with Michael Jennings before crashing over for a 14-2 half-time lead for the visitors.
Bolton reduced the deficit when he crossed for his first try early in the second half but when Lewis touched down for his second for the Panthers soon after it seemed Penrith would make it two wins from two to start the year.
The Cowboys had to be next to score to stay in the match and they did just that, with two tries in as many minutes.
First Willie Tonga raced 40 metres to finish off a neat Cowboys attack and Thurston then sent Bolton over again just two minutes later to lock up the scores at 20-20.
A late try to winger Michael Bani then completed the remarkable comeback with a late Thurston penalty goal ensuring the Cowboys' first win of the season.
North Queensland Cowboys 28
Tries: Bolton 2, Tonga, Bani
Goals: Thurston 6
Penrith Panthers 20
Tries: Lewis 2, Walsh
Goals: Gordon 4