A James Maloney field goal in the 78^th minute broke the deadlock, after Newcastle fought back from 18-6 down with two never-say-die tries.

It was the fourth loss in five games this season for last year’s wooden spooners but a vast improvement on last week, when they were belted 40-0 by Penrith.

Hammered 62-0 and 36-4 by Cronulla last season, the Knights provided more opposition in the first half, restricting the home side to a 14-6 lead at the break.

Cronulla scored first in the sixth minute when centre Gerard Beale won the race to ground a Chad Townsend grubber kick.

Newcastle equalised seven minutes later when English import Joe Wardle scored his first NRL try, pouncing on a left-footed kick from five-eighth Brock Lamb.

The Sharks moved two points clear in the 28^th minute, when after a string of penalties Maloney opted for a shot at goal.

Four minutes later, winger Sosaia Feki scored in the corner after a Valentine Holmes cut-out pass, and Maloney converted from the sideline.

Cronulla tightened their grip in the 53^rd minute when Holmes burst through on a kick-return, linked with centre Jack Bird, and backed up to score out wide.

The Knights got back to within striking distance after a scrum win in the 68^th minute, when fullback Brendan Elliot speared through a gap and raced 88 metres to score untouched.

Skipper Trent Hodkinson’s goal made it a six-point ball game. 

Three minutes later, Newcastle were back on level terms when debutant winger Jacob Gagan scored after a Holmes fumble and Hodkinson landed a pressure conversion.

The Knights’ cause was not helped when second-rower Sione Mata’utia was taken from the field in the 48^th minute after suffering a head knock.

Newcastle’s side featured two debutants – both former Sharks – in former Test forward Anthony Tupou and Gagan, who came in to replace injured Nathan Ross (calf).