The Dolphins have held off the Cowboys in a thrilling finish in the Queensland derby, winning 28-26 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Star second-rower Felise Kaufusi returned to the Dolphins lineup after spending several weeks on the sidelines, while star five-eighth Kodi Nikorima carved up with four try assists.
Jamayne Isaako scored his third career hat-trick while North Queensland's Jeremiah Nanai powered over to earn a double.
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The Dolphins capitalised on a host of late errors from the Cowboys, with the home side unable to convert their final try to take the game through to golden point.
"It's really disappointing," Tom Dearden said on Fox League.
"The most disappointing thing is whenever we give away a penalty or error we're just not defending it and we're giving them way too easy tries and I think the last two weeks it's cost us the two points.
"I think that's the most disappointing thing, our resilience on the try line."
The Cowboys started off with a bang, as Valentine Holmes made a line break off the second tackle and powered down the field.
A play down the line landed in the hands of Kyle Feldt who dove over in the corner.
Three minutes later the home side was back on the board, with Reuben Cotter crashing over three defenders to put the ball down.
Despite North Queensland's early dominance, the Dolphins made a fast comeback into the game, with both Jamayne Isaako and Tesi Niu going over the line.
An error by Dolphins fullback Trai Fuller paved the way for the Cowboys to pounce as second-rower Sam McIntyre spun over the line to put the home side back in front 22-18 at half-time.
The second half started with Isaako scoring his hat-trick before Jake Averillo made it 28-22 in the 69th minute as ball-handling continued to hurt the Cowboys.
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"Now the errors are coming thick and fast," commentator Dan Ginnane said.
"They've been their own worst enemies here in the second half, the Cowboys."
North Queensland were given hope at the end when Nanai scored to make it 28-26 but Holmes couldn't convert.
The result places Wayne Bennett's Dolphins side back into the top four, while the Cowboys have lost four in a row.
The Cowboys have once concern with fullback Scott Drinkwater placed on report just before the half-time after making high contact with Euan Aitken.
"I'm not sure it's too serious, but he did raise his elbow," Mal Meninga said on Fox League.
Dolphins enforcer Felise Kaufusi was also put on report early in the game for a high shot.
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