Despite enduring a season dogged by inconsistent performances, the Bulldogs have moved into the NRL top four with a gutsy 30-14 win over the Sydney Roosters at Aussie Stadium.

Not for the first time in 2006 the Bulldogs did it the hard way, failing behind 12-0 before storming home with 24 unanswered points to move onto 12 competition points, just two behind top of the table North Queensland.

Roosters coach Ricky Stuart bemoaned his side's poor options when the game was there to be won.

But there was no denying the Bulldogs, led by outstanding performances from fullback Luke Patten, centre Sonny Bill Williams and second rower Willie Mason, the latter two backing up from Friday night's Test match in Brisbane.

While pleased with the courage shown in overturning the early deficit, Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said there was still plenty of improvement left in his side.

"I think we lacked a little bit of cohesion with the football, we're really working hard for our points," Folkes said.

"Once we click and get that cohesion we'll be able to points on a little easier than we have been."

The Roosters went up 12-0 through tries to Nigel Plum and Amos Roberts, the second a spectacular 70m effort which saw Sam Perrett race down the touchline before finding Brett Finch and Roberts on his inside.

But a crucial error from Roosters skipper Craig Fitzgibbon just three minutes before the break cost his side dearly.

Filling in at dummy half for the injured Corey Hughes (hamstring), Tony Grimaldi spotted the gap in the Roosters defensive line, the Bulldogs veteran running 30 minutes to touch down next to the posts.

"I thought 12-6 at halftime wasn't a bad result for the end of the field the game was played at mostly in the first half," Folkes said.

For the Roosters it was the start of the end.

They added a penalty goal two minutes after the restart, but that was the end of the good news as the visitors ran in four tries to secure the win.

"We had the chance to win the game, we don't get many chances at the moment to win games, and when you throw them away like that you get fairly frustrated," Stuart said.

"Spirited performances don't win footy matches, we're always spirited."

Asked if there were any positives to come out of the contest, Stuart was blunt.

"The hooter to finish it."

Five-eighth Daniel Holdsworth started the rot when he followed up some nice work by Reni Maitua to touch down next to the posts in the 48th minute, and the Bulldogs took their first lead at 18-14 when Mason crashed over from close range.

The Roosters had their chances to get back into the contest, especially when referee Sean Hampstead reversed a ruling to give the Bulldogs a line drop out instead of a 20m tap on the advice of the fourth official.

But the Bulldogs sealed the result when Brad Morrin showed good strength to get over the line following a clever offload from Roy Asotasi, while Williams completed the carnage after the siren.

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