Despondent Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has admitted the Raiders have hit a "rough patch" after slumping to a fifth consecutive defeat, a run unseen by the club since 2014.
The Raiders gave up a 16-0 halftime lead and failed to score in the second 40 minutes of their disappointing 24-16 loss to Newcastle on Saturday.
Despite stand-out performances by Raiders prop Josh Papalii and halfback George Williams, Stuart said the Green Machine were unlucky in Wagga Wagga in front of 6,642 fans.
"We won games like that last year - we're just not getting that little bit of luck and not getting a bounce at the moment," Stuart said.
"We just need to keep working to try and get through this rough patch.
"I can't get fired up over a bunch of blokes who are doing everything they possibly can to play their best and to win a game of football.
"Things aren't going (well) for us at the moment but we've just got to persevere and stay strong."
It was a very different story in the Knights camp with coach Adam O'Brien saying Newcastle's performance was a "character building win".
Fullback Kalyn Ponga starred with a try and four goals, while hooker Jayden Brailey consolidated the result with an impressive try in the 77th minute.
Earlier, young halfback Phoenix Crossland ignited their impressive comeback.
A 59th minute converted try by Ponga got them within four points, before second-rower Tyson Frizell's solo effort helped his side to an 18-16 advantage.
It was the first time in 29 matches where the Knights trailed at the break and came back to win.
"We were really impatient (in the first 40 minutes) - I think we made four errors attacking down their end in the first half," O'Brien said.
"When we settled down and just started to get a bit of flow and rhythm to our game, we started to get some joy."
Australian Associated Press
