Canberra live to fight another day in 2010 after seeing off Canterbury 28-14 in a slogging NRL encounter at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

Breakaway tries in the second half from the impressive Jarrod Croker, Josh McCrone and Daniel Vidot effort helped the Raiders come from behind to maintain hope of a first finals campaign since 2008.

Four-pointers from Andrew Ryan, Bryson Goodwin and Junior Tia-Kilifi had given Canterbury a 14-12 lead at the break, but Kevin Moore's side struggled in attack in the second period as the Green Machine secured a fifth win in six games.

Croker, who finished with a personal haul of 14 points, put the Raiders in front with a 90m effort seven minutes after halftime and the visitors secured the points when McCrone was on hand to grab Terry Campese's pass following a long-range run from his skipper, after Vidot had scored.

It was another disappointing display from the Bulldogs, whose season ended last week with defeat to Newcastle, although their cause was not helped by the late withdrawals of utility Ben Barba (eye injury) and fullback Luke Patten (back).

The hosts recovered well from a slow start to hit back with three tries in the opening period after Josh Dugan had put the Raiders in front in his side's opening set, before Alan Tongue dived over on the stroke of halftime to close the gap to two points.

Dugan stepped past two tackles and danced his way to the line with Croker adding the extras with just three minutes on the clock, to give his side the perfect start.

The Bulldogs responded in positive fashion in the ninth minute with skipper Ryan going over.

Ryan looked to have added his second a minute later, only to be denied by the video ref Russell Smith for a double movement as he lurched his way to the line.

Smith was brought into action again for again for Canterbury's second try, but this time he ruled in the affirmative after Goodwin showed great athleticism to get behind the dithering Daniel Vidot and grasp Ben Roberts' grubber kick.

The hosts extended their lead further when Tia-Kilifi scored in the right corner, with the former Penrith man getting the final touch after the ball went through four pairs of hands.

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