Nathan Cleary crunched as Panthers slump continues in skipper's 250th match
Isaah Yeo's 250th game celebrations have been spoiled by the North Queensland Cowboys as the Penrith Panthers horror start to the season continues.
Off the back of a triumphant victory over the Raiders, the Cowboys made the most of their trip down to Sydney as they defeated the four-time premiers 22-18.
Penrith were leading 18-12 at the beginning of the final 40 but their game plan quickly turned on its head as minor errors began to derail their momentum.
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Coen Hess put a crunching hit on Nathan Cleary late in the Cowboys' clash with the Panthers. Fox Sports
The Cowboys unveiled a thriller attacking display on return from the break, with Coen Hess sending a clear warning to Penrith's attack as he flattened star playmaker Nathan Cleary with a brutal hit.
The shot was followed by a desperate attempt by Cleary to stop an incoming Cowboys attack as Penrith scrambled to restructure their line to defend.
Players seemed to be concerned the shot by Hess may have been high hit but referee Peter Gough insisted the contact was around the body.
Penrith's troubles continued after the brutal shot as Yeo was placed on report for a high shot on Scott Drinkwater in front of the posts.
With 15 errors and six penalties conceded, Paul Alamoti looked set to be the "hero" his team needed as he dived over the line for a sensational high-flying try.
"How he scores here, I'll never know," Steve Roach said on Fox League.
"That was absolutely ridiculous. He is a hero," Michael Ennis added.
But his efforts were denied by the Bunker as his foot had gone into touch before he grounded the ball.
Paul Alamoti is denied a try against the Cowboys. Fox League
Adding more salt to the wounds, Izack Tago was given marching orders in what was his third costly error for the Penrith locals.
In attempt to stop Murray Taulagi from edging over the line Tago had caught his arm high around the head of the winger as the pair went to ground.
Cleary attempted to orchestrate some late magic as his team were left with just 12 men but he dropped the ball near the halfway line as the Cowboys begun to celebrate.
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Isaah Yeo of the Panthers poses with his family to celebrate his 250th NRL game. Getty
Earlier, Yeo received a standing ovation from the crowd as they combined to honour the star in the 13th minute - the number he continues to don each week with Penrith.
The cheers for the lock were elevated by the success of Casey McLean, who powered over the line to level the scores.
Tago followed his teammate over the line moments later before the Cowboys were reduced to 12 men as Reece Robson was binned for a high shot on Daine Laurie.
Gough initially only blew a penalty for the forearm across the face, before the Bunker intervened.
"Just clipped him over the chin ... Robson can't believe it," Michael Ennis said in commentary for Fox Sports.
Cowboys skipper Tom Dearden attempted to plead with the referee to save his teammate from time off the field, citing Laurie's falling body height as the cause.
"The player is falling before the contact so the target area naturally lowers," he was heard saying.
Reece Robson was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Daine Laurie. Fox Sports
"You have got to take that into account."
League great Steve Roach seemed to suggest he was surprised the hit was awarded more than a penalty.
"You wouldn't have to look at it a second time, would you? You'd pick it up straight away," he said.
