Stand-in Warrios fullback Taine Tuaupiki has sealed a 22-20 upset win over Penrith that has the potential to kickstart the Kiwi side's faltering NRL season.
Missing Shaun Johnson (pectoral) and losing Wayde Egan (concussion) in the opening 12 minutes, the Warriors punished an error-prone Panthers side contending without Nathan Cleary (hamstring) and Taylan May, arrested the day before the game.
But despite turning in their sloppiest performance of the year, Penrith had the chance to send the game to extra time when they were awarded a ruck penalty in the last minute at Magic Round on Sunday.
Dylan Edwards stepped up to the tee but missed his shot from 38 metres out and the Warriors held on to break a four-game losing streak with their confidence-boosting win.
The Warriors' attack had looked clunky without Johnson and Egan but the side took a surprise lead while Panthers captain Isaah Yeo was in the sin bin, apparently for putting a shot on Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad as he attempted a quick tap.
Replacement halfback Te Maire Martin, whose kicking game had been off early on, threw the last pass for two Warriors tries while the side had the numerical advantage.
Once the reigning premiers began to claw back upfield, it appeared inevitable they would take control, and Izack Tago restored their lead with 14 minutes to play by scything over down the right.
But the Warriors once again would not go away, and scores were level after Martin held a pass up to hit Tuaupiki running through a hole. The 24-year-old had his first NRL try in incredible circumstances.
In only his ninth top-grade game, the young No.1 stepped up for a chance to give his side the lead from the sideline. His shot careered from the post and over the black dot.
The healthy travelling Warriors contingent rejoiced when Edwards could not return the favour in the final minute.
NSW hopeful Jarome Luai looked set to put the Panthers on the path to victory when he broke down the left edge for a 75-metre try and sent Penrith to the break up 10-4..
Luai was generally solid in his first game in a spell replacing Cleary as the Panthers' game manager, but he couldn't prevent the gutsy Warriors from waging one of the upsets of the year.