Referee Tim Mander needed a police escort off Aussie Stadium as he copped abuse and a spray of ice from irate fans following Manly's upset 22-18 NRL victory over the Sydney Roosters on Friday.

The boos resonated around the stadium from a 19,787-strong crowd angered by contentious Mander decisions which denied tries in the 61st and 78th minutes that may have sealed the Roosters' fourth straight victory.

Mander ruled reserve Richard Fa'aoso was held up in the 61st after video referee Graeme West threw the decision back to the whistleblower with the Roosters trailing 20-14.

But the Roosters home crowd saved the major howls for Mander's decision to disallow what looked to be the match-winning try to winger Joel Monaghan with just two minutes left on the clock for a forward pass.

The Roosters - leading 14-6 at halftime - added to their woeful record without skipper Luke Ricketson who is serving a two-match ban.

The Roosters have won just four matches from 17 games without Ricketson who announced he would retire at the end of the NRL season.

But it was good news for Manly skipper and halfback Michael Monaghan who ended a two-game ultimatum by the Sea Eagles to prove his worth before negotiating a new contract with another influential performance.

Monaghan is expected to re-sign with the Eagles on Saturday morning.

Manly bounced back from a 14-6 halftime deficit with a vengeance, crossing through fullback Brett Stewart (45th minute) and centre Paul Stephenson (50th) - the latter thanks to the video referee West - to hit the front.

Then two Michael Witt penalties gave the Sea Eagles a 22-14 cushion by the 63rd minute.

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