Lightning struck for the third straight week at Suncorp Stadium as Queensland failed to close out a Super 14 victory, falling 21-20 to the Blues.

Replacement goalkicker Isa Nacewa kicked two late penalties for the Aucklanders to sink the Reds in the final 10 minutes.

Like their two opening defeats to NSW and the Crusaders, the Reds led midway through the second half but lacked the composure needed to ice the win.

Victory appeared probable when Elton Flatley, who landed four goals from seven attempts, slotted a penalty from the sideline with only seven minutes remaining.

But an elementary turnover from the restart and an immediate ruck infringement gave Fijian fullback Nacewa the chance to give the desperate Blues their first win of the year.

He duly slotted it from 37m and the Reds were then unable to get within striking range in the dying moments.

The bulk of the match was a stilted slugfest, a far cry from frenetic opening which saw three tries scored in the first nine minutes.

The under-pressure Blues forwards seemed hell bent to prove a point to home critics as well as the young Reds pack which had trumpeted a rediscovered aggressive streak.

With No.8 Nick Williams leading the way, the visitors forced six turnovers in just the first 17 minutes and destabilised the home team's attack.

But the Reds regained their bearings, once again through wily halfback Sam Cordingley, further enhancing genuine Wallabies claims.

They hit the lead for the first time just after half-time when a Cordingley dart led to a Flatley penalty for a 17-15 advantage.

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