Benji Marshall slotted over a golden-point drop goal to secure Wests Tigers a dramatic 27-26 victory over North Queensland Cowboys on Friday.

Having failed with a pair of earlier attempts, Marshall made it third time lucky when he got just enough elevation from in front of the posts to end the game and lift his team up to eighth in the table.

Wests had appeared on course for a far more comfortable win when they led 20-6 at half-time, Michael Chee Kam, Ryan Matterson and David Nofoaluma scoring tries.

However, the Cowboys hit back after the break and Kyle Feldt's second try – he had already touched down in the 30th minute – put them ahead for the first time.

Chee Kam's second try of the game was converted by Esan Marsters to make it 26-24 in favour of Wests, but Jake Clifford's 79th-minute penalty levelled a see-saw contest before Marshall had the last word in extra time.

In Friday's other NRL fixture, Gold Coast Titans failed to cope following the losses of Jai Arrow and Tyrone Peachey to injury, going down 24-20 to New Zealand Warriors at Cbus Super Stadium.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Ken Maumalo scored tries for the Warriors, though they finished the game with 12 men after Adam Blair was sin-binned late on in his 300th NRL appearance.