The Sydney Roosters continued Brad Fittler's unbeaten record as coach with a late 20-17 NRL victory over a courageous Newcastle at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday.
Centre Mitchell Aubusson stepped and spun his way over the tryline with three minutes remaining to hand the Roosters successive victories since club great Fittler assumed the coaching duties after Chris Anderson's resignation.
It was an unfortunate finish for the gutsy Knights who were playing without injured NSW Origin stars Danny Buderus, Steve Simpson and Jarrod Mullen while Adam Woolnough was also a late withdrawal due to a virus.
Newcastle led for most of the match but were unable to hold out a determined Roosters side who remain in 15th place but moved further away from a wooden spoon finish with a four-point gap over Penrith.
The Roosters hit the lead for the first time in the game in the 48th minute when Lopini Paea was able to step across off a Braith Anasta inside pass for a 16-12 lead.
However their lead was short-lived as the Knights struck back in the 55th minute when Gidley combined with Cory Paterson who threw a one-handed flick pass for Cooper Vuna to score his second try of the night.
Young Newcastle halfback Luke Walsh added a 20m field goal in the 66th minute to hand the Knights a valuable lead but it was not enough.
Newcastle had led 12-10 at halftime on the back of tries to Adam MacDougall (fourth minute) and Vuna (18th minute).
Kurt Gidley was outstanding all game and nailed conversions from both sides of the field in the first half plus produced the clever midfield grubber which set up Vuna's first try.
Roosters prop David Shillington scored his first try of the season to open his side's account in the 16th while Joel Monaghan (31st minute) also scored prior to the break.
