The Cowboys have edged past the Bulldogs with a hard-fought 20-18 victory in a match that featured five lead changes on Sunday night.

North Queensland’s 10th victory of the season puts them back inside the top eight and just one win outside the top four.

Tom Dearden backed up from the Origin decider and was ultimately the difference as the Cowboys No. 6 set up two tries, including the 71st minute winner.

Bulldogs star Stephen Crichton survived an early injury scare in Townsville. The NSW gun triggered a long injury delay with an arm complaint in the 14th minute, but after a stoppage lasting several minutes he stayed on the field.

It came after Cowboys young gun Heilum Luki scored a gift opener, before Josh Curran hit back thanks to a Toby Sexton grubber.

The sides traded penalties before Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri extended the lead after chasing down another Sexton grubber in the 30th minute.

Canterbury youngster Blake Wilson was binned for a professional foul in the 43rd minute and moments later Luki crashed over for his second try thanks to a nice short ball from Dearden.

Bulldogs No. 6 Matt Burton put a chip up for Kiraz who flew above Val Holmes to put the visitors back in front in the 55th minute.

But Dearden stood up when it mattered to make a break and put 18-year-old Jaxon Purdue to score the winner.

Tom Dearden is listed on the Cowboys website at a generous 177cm – which still places him among the NRL’s smallest players – but the playmaker stood tallest when it mattered most on Sunday night.

Canterbury looked set to win a dogfight before Dearden produced some individual brilliance to create something out of nothing and set up the match-winner.

The 23-year-old took the ball 58 metres from the line on the fourth tackle, threw a dummy and then ducked to slip through two tacklers.

Dearden then ran another 25 metres and held up his pinpoint pass to Jaxon Purdue just long enough to ensure the 18-year-old scored the winner.

Dearden was among the Maroons best in a bruising Origin series as he filled in for the injured Cameron Munster.

But the young gun still found the energy to drag his side over the line for a crucial win that puts the Cowboys back inside the top eight.