Defecting Canberra skipper Clinton Schifcofske went from villain to hero when he potted a controversial penalty goal in extra time for a thrilling 20-18 victory over Wests Tigers in their NRL clash at Canberra Stadium.

But the win was soured by a questionable refereeing decision which led to Schifcofske's winning kick, 39 metres out from the Tigers' line.

Referee Tony Archer awarded Canberra the advantage after he ruled Tigers prop John Skandalis joined second rower Todd Payten in stripping the ball from Raiders centre Adam Mogg in the 82nd minute.

It was a questionable decision because it was unclear whether Skandalis joined the tackle before the ball was stripped.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens said the match was a perfect example of why he was opposed to extra time.

He questioned the decision that led to the match-winning penalty being awarded but seemed more concerned with what he said was Archer's failure to police the 10 metres in extra time, claiming that may have cost the Tigers victory when fullback Brett Hodgson was mowed down as he made an unsuccessful attempt to kick a field goal in the 82nd minute.

"No one is going to penalise unless it's an obligatory penalty in that period of time and that's the problem with it," Sheens said.

"The referee hasn't got the gumption to go on with it when all game he's penalised for offside and then you get an extra time situation and they put the whistle in their pocket on those sort of instances."

It was the sweetest sort of victory for Schifcofske, who admitted he was under extraordinary pressure heading into the match after signing a two-year deal with the Queensland Reds Super 14 team last week.

"I feel I play better when there is a bit of pressure on me and things are a bit tough," Schifcofske said.

"It takes the focus off a lot of things and I don't think too much."

Raiders coach Matt Elliott said he relished the golden point scenario because his team has won every one of the four matches they have played in extra time - including three from three this season - with Schifcofske kicking the winning points in all but one.

"I like it when we get in a poo fight because we win most of them," he said.

"This win might just be the catalyst for something a little bit special."

It was a costly loss for the Tigers and a crucial win for the Raiders, who now move into tenth position on the NRL ladder.

The loss means NRL premiers Wests Tigers are at risk of failing to qualify for this year's finals series, although Sheens refused to admit as much.

The Tigers grabbed an early 12-0 lead thanks to tries from centre Dean Collis and Hodgson.

Canberra winger Marshall Chalk put his side back in the game when he crossed the Tigers' line in the 20th minute and Raiders centre Phil Graham added Canberra's second try in the 30th minute, also after being awarded a penalty because Payten stripped the ball.

Schifcofske's conversion levelled the score at 12-12 but his attempt at a field goal in the dying seconds of the first half failed.

Canberra halfback Todd Carney put his side ahead for the first time in the 48th minute and the Raiders held an 18-12 lead until the 67th minute when Tigers winger Shannon McDonnell scored.

Hodgson's conversion locked the score at 18-18.

Carney (75th minute), Hodgson (78th minute) and Tigers halfback Scott Prince all missed their shots at field goal and Hodgson failed at another attempt two minutes into extra time, even though he was within about 15 metres of the posts.

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