With Newcastle's NRL season firmly on the line, Jarrod Mullen delivered one the best performances of his burgeoning career at just the right time.

Trailing 22-8 at halftime to a Johnathan Thurston-inspired North Queensland, the Knights were staring down the barrel of another season without finals involvement, before clawing back the Cowboys' lead to run out 32-26 victors at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The Knights have failed to make the top eight since 2006 - the last full season of the Andrew Johns' brilliant career.

But victory on Saturday edged them back to fifth spot on the ladder and gave them the luxury of knowing their destiny is in their own hands with two rounds of the season remaining.

Mullen had a hand in four of the Knights' tries and scored one of his own when he raced 75 metres to touch down in the 61st minute.

It was the key moment of the match as Newcastle seized the initiative from the Cowboys to hand rookie coach Rick Stone his second win in as many games.

"We were very worried at halftime, our energy was on the way down and we needed to do something about it," Stone said.

"We didn't rip into the players we spoke about defending well the first time we got the opportunity and at times in the first half we let ourselves down through some ill-discipline.

"But there was still plenty of positives in their body language at halftime and we said it was important to put some pressure back on the Cowboys."

Stone said he was delighted with Mullen's performance and revealed the coaching staff had spoken to the 24-year-old about imposing himself more in games.

"We have spoken to Mullo over the last few weeks about being a real leader in the team and in the second half in particular when we needed someone to show some composure and guidance Jarrod was outstanding," Stone said.

Mullen more than matched the performance of Thurston, who had a tremendous first half, scoring two tries and setting up Willie Tonga for another four-pointer.

However, despite coming out on top against the Australian and Queensland halfback, Mullen played down the battle between the two number sevens.

"I thought JT played pretty well for them and controlled the game in the first half," Mullen said.

"It is always satisfying to get a win against your opposite No.7 but I don't see it as a personal battle, it was a team effort."

Cowboys coach Neil Henry lamented his side's second-half capitulation and admitted it had made their chances of reaching the finals very difficult.

"Coming in at halftime 14 points up was very pleasing and I was delighted with our effort we talked about a couple of things we needed to improve on, but in the end they out-enthused us around the ruck," Henry said.

"That was very disappointing as it also happened against the Bulldogs as well."

Henry also admitted the gamble of playing Matt Bowen, who went into the game with a knee injury, didn't pay off with the explosive fullback limping off early in the second half.

"He said he was right to go but he got a bit of knock and we were caught in trying to do a shuffle and it upset us a bit," he said.

"Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

"He adds a bit of spark but it put a bit of a burden on JT, him not being there.

"We now have to rely on results going in our favour but we will keep fighting and working hard and hope for the best."

The Knights had no injury concerns, but Adam MacDougall - who scored two tries - will face an anxious weekend after being put on report for a high shot on Travis Burns in the final play of the match.

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