A red-hot Newcastle has dealt the Bulldogs' premiership defence another huge blow with a 28-13 win in their NRL match at Telstra Stadium.

The Bulldogs blew another chance to move into the top eight after back-to-back losses to the bottom sides - South Sydney and now the Knights.

Newcastle captain Andrew Johns limped off the field with a leg injury after his halves partner Brad Tighe had scored a 75th minute try to put the result beyond doubt.

The Bulldogs are still stuck on 23 points on the table - one behind Manly and Melbourne following the Storm's loss to Cronulla at Toyota Park.

Newcastle has now won five out of its past seven matches, including three straight, after losing 13 in a row to open the season.

The Knights are two points behind fellow wooden spoon contender Penrith (16 points) after Souths moved up to 13th place with their round 22 bye.

The Bulldogs edged ahead 7-6 at halftime with a Braith Anasta field goal 20 seconds before the break.

Newcastle hit the front in the 49th minute with a superb try to hooker Danny Buderus under the posts after the ball went through six sets of hands, with Tighe providing the final pass.

The next try - in the 54th minute - was even better as the ball went through 10 sets of hands before George Carmont set up winger Anthony Quinn.

Johns added the extras to give the Knights an 18-7 lead as they looked primed to spring yet another upset.

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