North Queensland Cowboys said farewell to the 1300Smiles Stadium with a hard-fought victory as they beat Canterbury Bulldogs 15-8 on Thursday.

The Cowboys are leaving their only home to date after almost quarter of a century, moving to the new North Queensland Stadium next year, and played their final match at the venue this week.

A tense encounter in which North Queensland finished with a flourish saw the Bulldogs' slim NRL finals hopes ended.

It was 2-2 at the break after the sides traded penalty goals, before they remained neck and neck when Kyle Feldt's try was followed by a response from Jayden Okunbor.

But Jordan Kahu's 76th-minute field goal nudged the Cowboys in front and victory was sealed at the last when Shane Wright went over and the departing Scott Bolton added the extras.