Parramatta coach Brian Smith thought the Eels were "dead in the water" on Saturday night when they trailed New Zealand Warriors by 14 points with 11 minutes remaining.

But the Eels somehow managed to walk on water, scoring three tries in the final 10 minutes to pull off an incredible 28-26 victory in the National Rugby League clash at Parramatta Stadium.

Winger Ashley Graham and centre David Vaealiki scored in the 72nd and 75th minutes respectively to turn the match into a gripping contest as the home side bridged to gap to 26-22.

Then Eels skipper Daniel Wagon bagged the match-winning try off a Michael Witt grubber with just 44 seconds left on the clock to secure a morale-boosting victory - only their seventh from the past 28 matches - and give his side some hope of making the finals.

The thrilling match was marred by news that Warriors and Queensland hooker PJ Marsh was taken to Westmead Hospital for precautionary X-rays after suffering a potentially serious neck injury in the first minute of the game.

"Hopefully he's just damaged ligaments in his neck but there's a chance he could have a fracture," said club doctor Chris Hanna.

A relieved Smith said he contemplated replacing Wagon after the opening 10 minutes because the 27-year-old lock was struggling with a cork but he was glad he didn't.

"I quite honestly thought we were dead in the water," said Smith. "The momentum was going all the other way so that was one hell of an effort from our guys.

"It was amazing, real elation, making a comeback after being written off."

It was even more impressive considering the Eels were down to 12 men after Darren Treacy was sin-binned for dissent in the 68th minute and fullback Brett Hodgson (knee) and prop Michael Vella (abdomen) were late withdrawals.

The Eels were furious that referee Paul Simpkins ruled they had kicked a ball out on the full when video replays clearly showed it bounced inside the sideline.

The Warriors received the penalty for Treacy's back-chat and halfback Stacey Jones slotted a 69th minute penalty goal for what should have been an unassailable 26-12 lead.

"You need to understand and feel for the fact that the referees are human beings but sometimes you have to wonder if both eyes are working in unison," said Smith, who will make an official complaint to referees' boss Robert Finch.

Warriors coach Daniel Anderson could not fathom how his side, which trailed 12-6 at halftime, butchered the game - their fourth straight away loss.

They piled on tries to fullback Brent Webb, replacement centre Siona Faumuina and winger Francis Meli in a 13m period after the break, when Jones was in the sin-bin for a professional foul, to seemingly crush Parramatta's hopes.

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