St George Illawarra coach Nathan Brown praised his side's ability to "grind" out a win after the Dragons bolted to a 36-16 triumph over North Queensland.

Brown marvelled at his players' ability to get the better of the Cowboys' livewire attack in the second half after the hosts looked like staging a remarkable comeback.

North Queensland trailed 22-6 at halftime but returned from the break a completely different outfit with Matt Bowen strolling over moments after the kick-off.

Bowen latched on to a pass from an open Johnathan Thurston to score next to the uprights and provide a glimmer of hope for the 21,021 fans at the sold-out Dairy Farmers Stadium.

But any hopes of a recovery were dashed when Dragons skipper Trent Barrett shrugged off some early punishment from the Cowboys' forwards to cruise over for the match-winning try in the 54th minute.

Brown said he was delighted with his side's start to the contest but even more pleased with the way the visitors closed out the match.

"We got them on the hop at the start, and it was a good start for us, but we were pretty solid (the whole game)," Brown said.

"We played different tonight. We weren't as flashy I suppose and it was bit more of a grinding game for us which was pleasing. It was a great win in a spot that hasn't been that great for us.

"We started a little slower after halftime but to get back on the horse and grind it out, it was good."

Barrett's try secured the Dragons just their second ever win in Townsville and moved them a step closer to securing two shots at this year's premiership Ill-discipline and untimely errors from the Cowboys cost the hosts dearly in the opening half as the Dragons applied the throttle thanks to a mountain of possession.

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