Canberra's hopes faded after a controversial penalty reversal, leading to Newcastle's 30-24 victory in a tense match.
Canberra's pursuit of a top-eight spot is all but done and dusted but not before a controversial moment robbed them of any last ditch chance to claim victory against Newcastle, in a contest that toed and froed from the outset on a very cold and wet afternoon in the nation's capital.
Trailing 26-24, and with field position in defence, Ashley Klein awarded a penalty against Newcastle's Dane Gagai for pushing Corey Horsburgh in a scuffle after a tackle was made, giving Canberra the ball with six and a half minutes to go.
After a protest from Newcastle captain Kalyn Ponga, the referee overturned the decision, with assistance from the Bunker, and the penalty was flipped with the Canberra backrower put on report for striking and sent to the sin-bin for the remainder of the match
Newcastle prevailed 30-24 to give Tyson Frizell the win he deserved in his milestone 300th match.
There was some confusion as to whether the discretion was for a high tackle or the slap by Horsburgh after he was pushed, but it appeared via the Fox League commentary it was for the slap.