An inspired performance from Matt Bowen has led the Cowboys to a drought-breaking 16-8 win over Canberra at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

With the North Queenslanders missing skipper Johnathan Thurston - as well as Willie Tonga, Matt Scott and Luke O'Donnell - to State of Origin, former representative star Bowen was pitched into the halfback role.

The ploy was kept under wraps by coach Neil Henry until the team took the field, with Bowen named on the team sheet at fullback but playing in the halves for the entire game.

The plan worked, with the flyer having a hand in both first-half tries to 18-year-old Michael Morgan.

The Raiders were also heavily depleted with Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, David Shillington and late NSW inclusion Joel Monaghan missing to Origin and gun fullback Josh Dugan a late scratching through a knee injury.

But both teams were willing to chance their arm in a fast-paced, entertaining match.

The Cowboys squandered two further chances in the second half, with wingers John Williams and Ash Graham both crossing the line off the back of forward passes.

Canberra weren't without their own opportunities, Daniel Vidot looking to add to his first half try with a soaring run down the left touchline only snuffed out by a huge tackle from recalled fullback Shannon Gallant.

Former Queensland winger Adam Mogg returned to the flank for the Raiders in the absence of Monaghan but may find himself in hot water for his 69th minute high shot on Bowen which allowed John Williams to slot home his second penalty for an unassailable 16-8 lead.

Josh McCrone scored the other try for the Raiders early in the first half while skipper Terry Campese had a luckless night with the boot, missing both conversion attempts.

It was a vital win for the Cowboys who had just three wins from 12 appearances coming in, losing their last four at home.

Ben Harris also made a shock return to the NRL for the first time since round 16 last year following a wretched run of injuries.

But in a blow for the Cowboys, Morgan was forced from the field with 10 minutes to go with a bruised sternum.

"We definitely had some missed opportunities there," Raiders coach David Furner said.

"If we got over the line there it could have been a different story.

"I thought we got down their end quite well ... we had chances there to win that game."

Campese blamed himself for poor final tackle options.

"I'm disappointed in myself to be honest," he said.

"I feel like I let the team down with those last play options."

For Henry, it was getting off to a bright start that pleased him the most after a string of first half blowouts had cruelled the club's chances in previous rounds.

"It's been well documented that we haven't been too good in the first 40 minutes, it's something that we've talked about a lot," he said.

"I was very pleased at halftime, even though we could have converted a couple more opportunities there.

"We probably could have scored more tries ... but the most pleasing aspect of the game was our commitment to our defence."

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