Canterbury matchwinner Trent Hodkinson paid tribute to the Bulldogs' forwards after their courageous performance helped seal a 8-7 NRL victory over Parramatta on Friday.

Hodkinson kicked a field goal to take the game into golden point two minutes from time, then added a second from 41 metres in the second half of the extra period to seal the game and keep alive his side's finals aspirations and effectively end the Eels' season.

Parramatta dominated large spells of the game but were only able to cross for one try when Jarryd Hayne intercepted a Ben Roberts' pass, as the Bulldogs, under caretaker coach Jim Dymock, produced a heroic defensive display.

"I got a bit lucky again, I managed to get a couple of field goals but most importantly it was just good to get the win," Hodkinson said.

"We knew it was going to be tough, Parra were pretty desperate for a win but our big boys muscled up in defence."

Leading 6-0 early in the second half, the Eels looked set to run away with the win after Hayne scored and the former Parramatta junior admitted he thought his former club would go on to win the game.

"I think we all felt the momentum of the game shift when they scored their try and then got into good positions a few times for a field goal, but we had to just stick in there," he said.

"We know we needed to win, it can hopefully kick-start our season again, Jimmy has told me he wants me to take control - he's tweaked a few things and all the boys have jumped on board.

"We knew in defence we had to be on our defence with Haynesy there but the middle boys controlled it well, and from a defensive point of view it would have to be our most satisfying win of the season.

"Our line speed was good and that is what won us the game."

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