The Raiders suffered their first loss of the year at the hands of the Melbourne Storm at Olympic Park last week and it seemed as though they might be in for another upset loss when the Panthers scooted out to a 14-0 lead at half time.

After an early penalty goal to the Panthers, the first try didn’t come until the 32nd minute when centre Paul Whatuira wrenched and wrestled his way over the line.

And then, as the seconds counted down to the half time break, forward Shane Rodney – on the back of a half break from fullback Rhys Wesser – ran 60 metres to score in the corner.

Five-eighth Preston Campbell added to the Raiders misery by convertin the try from the sideline.

But the Panthers' advantage had been eclipsed by the 63rd minute of the match, as the Raiders racked up three tries through a tiring Penrith defence.

Tries to Tyran Smith, Jamaal Lolesi and Phil Graham made the first half seem like an aberration for the Raiders.

Through injury the Penrith bench had been reduced to just two – and even those two looked they could do with a lie down.

But despite this, the Panthers somehow found a way to come back and when Luke Rooney scored out wide to level the scores at 18-all, Campbell was left with a tough conversion to break the deadlock – he didn’t waiver.

The rarity of the match was that the NRL's leading try scorer and Penrith fullback Rhys Wesser hadn’t registered a try but he involved in the try that resolved the match.

He kicked low behind the Canberra defensive line and Whatuira followed through to dive on the ball for his second try of the game.