Warriors 18 Knights 16

WARRIORS captain Steve Price was so confident Patrick Ah Van was going to nail the winning goal against Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium last night, he did not even watch it.

Ah Van's kick from 20 metres out and a tricky angle to the right broke a 16-16 deadlock and gave the Warriors their first win in Australia in nine months.

A late replacement at fullback for injured Kiwi international Lance Hohaia, 20-year-old Ah Van demonstrated the poise of a veteran by piloting the kick between the sticks with 85 seconds remaining.

Referee Jared Maxwell awarded the penalty after ruling Knights five-eighth Jarrod Mullen was offside recovering a Warriors bomb that glanced off Newcastle teammate Cooper Vuna's back.

"Patty looked very relaxed, and I was really confident," said Price, who never considered anyone else for the kick.

"I didn't actually see it where I was standing. I was just chasing the kick and I was just praying the touch judges would put their flags up. They didn't move so that was a good sign and she was over.

"It was a bit of an ugly win tonight but very important in our season. Newcastle in Newcastle is not an easy place to play."

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said of Ah Van: "The guy doesn't usually kick so it was a real testament to him. It's a huge kick in the context of any game but particularly for our season.

"To be able to knock it over shows how much composure he's got."

Knights coach Brian Smith was furious with the penalty and annoyed Maxwell did not bother looking at a replay of the incident.

"The referee made a call, and didn't look at the video, so I presume it was the right call," Smith said.

"I hope it was for his sake because it won't change anything else."

Smith was not happy with Maxwell's 10-metre interpretation, believing it to be closer to 15 for both sides."We practise on a set of rules where you're required to get back 10 metres, not 15," Smith said.

"It's very difficult for players to perform at their best when they're asked to play under a different set of conditions to the ones that they practise under.

"Plus it was a slippery, dewy night which made it difficult for both teams."

It was the Warriors' first away win since a 24-20 victory over the Panthers at Penrith on September 1 last year and put a dent in Newcastle's finals aspirations.

The Warriors looked home when leading 16-6 with 15 minutes remaining but the Knights levelled with two tries in three minutes to Chris Bailey and James McManus.

Knights fullback Wes Naiqama could have given his side a two-point lead but could not convert McManus's try, then Mullen missed a rushed 30-metre field-goal attempt two minutes before Ah Van's winner.

"It was a game we probably should have won but there's no point looking back. We've got a few big games coming up," said centre Adam MacDougall, whose first try this year gave Newcastle a 6-4 half-time lead.

"All the games at home are games that you should win so that's disappointing but we'll have to bounce back next week."

Newcastle's dynamic young halfback Scott Dureau signed a new two-year contract on Friday.