Penrith Panthers 29 - Brisbane Broncos 28
Young five-eighth Peter Wallace booted a miraculous field goal to give the Penrith Panthers a golden point victory over the Brisbane Broncos in their round three NRL clash at Lang Park on Friday evening.
21-year-old Wallace produced the match-winning play in the second period of extra-time, potting a field goal from 42 metres out to seal a remarkable 29-28 victory and leave the defending premiers without a win in 2007.
The Broncos had looked certain to win the match with three minutes remaining after four tries to brawny centre Broncos centre Justin Hodges and three penalty shots from fit-again skipper Darren Lockyer propelled the home side into a 28-20 lead.
But a length-of-the-field effort from centre Michael Jennings on 78 minutes and an amazing try on the full-time siren from livewire Panthers full-back Rhys Wesser levelled the scores, before Michael Gordon's failed conversion attempt sent the game into golden point.
Craig Gower missed two opportunities to win the match for the Panthers in the first period of extra-time, pushing both of his field goal attempts just wide of the posts.
Wallace, an unlikely match-winner in just his fourth game of first-grade at Penrith, then clinched victory in the second period as the Panthers sealed a remarkable come-from-behind win to stun the home crowd.
The Broncos led with six minutes remaining in the first half, but tries to Panthers centres Jennings and Luke Lewis handed the visitors a 20-14 advantage at the break.
Jennings intercepted a wayward Lockyer pass on 34 minutes to streak away downfield and score underneath the posts and Lewis crashed over minutes later after good build-up work from Panthers half-back Gower.
Hodges starred for the Broncos despite a niggling knee injury and preyed on poor handling from the Panthers to score a first-half brace, while Panthers winger Michael Gordon also crossed twice in the opening period
Frank Pritchard and Wesser caused plenty of problems on the right-side in attack with Gordon crossing twice untouched after Broncos winger Darius Boyd strayed from the wing in defence.
