New Zealand Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon is in hot water over an alleged spitting incident after his NRL team terminated Penrith's post-season plans at Mt Smart Stadium.

With both teams needing to win to stay in the finals hunt - the Warriors reigned on home turf by easily accounting for the Panthers 42-20.

But the major talking point post-match regarded McKinnon being placed on report by referee Ben Cummins, the custodian appearing to spit after launching a verbal tirade against a touch judge.

McKinnon was furious the official had refused to rule a forward pass in the lead-up to a Penrith try in the second half of the clash.

It was alleged McKinnon spat at him and television replays indicated as much.

However it was unclear how close the spit got to the official.

McKinnon's report leaves the Warriors with a nervous few days before the side's must-win clash against Parramatta.

The Kiwi outfit needs victory and for either Newcastle or Canberra to lose next week to reach the finals.

But at least the Warriors are still alive, the Panthers returning from across the ditch out of the running.

Penrith coach Matt Elliott said he was "bitterly disappointed" the Panthers wouldn't be playing in the finals but only had themselves to blame.

"I have to accept the responsibility that the biggest contributing to that has been us," Elliott said.

Following the game Panthers captain Petero Civoniceva said his team had showed good form in patches but failed to keep it up for the whole game.

"The good sides that play tough football are able to weather that and are able to build pressure again," Civoniceva said.

"That has been the story for us this year. We can play good football in patches but doing it for 80 minutes, that is the benchmark, and that is what all the good teams are doing," he said.

Warriors captain Steve Price said his team performed best when it had concentrated on the basics.

He said he had spoken to McKinnon after he was put on report.

"I just said you just have to listen to what he says and it means you have to be fully focused on your job. He was sweet with that," Price said.

Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said while he was happy with the win, his team would have to perform better in another do-or-die contest against the Eels.

"We are going to have to improve a long way on our last road trip," Cleary said referring to his side's 34-6 defeat at the hands of the Dragons in round 24 at WIN Stadium.

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