Queensland suffered a double blow at Ballymore with Chris Latham injuring his hamstring in a 20-17 Super 12 rugby loss to the Crusaders.

The bitter defeat was made even more painful with skipper Elton Flatley dropping the ball with the line wide open in the last play of the game.

The outside defence may have pulled Flatley down with 15m to run but it would have been a close finish.

In the end it was Canterbury whiz-kid Daniel Carter who was the difference, kicking five penalty goals in the enthralling encounter, including the match-winner with two minutes left.

Carter's superb long-range goalkicking, potting four three-pointers from beyond 35m, saved the Crusaders from their worst ever start to the competition after two opening losses.

Latham limped off midway through the second half after appearing to tear his hamstring during a classic signature kick-return, beating four defenders.

Doubts are held that he will be fit to take on the defending Super 12 champions, the Blues, at Ballymore next week.

Fellow dangerman Wendell Sailor could also be in doubt with a shoulder injury.

After trailing 6-0 late in the first half, the Reds, who had been hampered by the visitors' ball-pilfering at the breakdown, looked set for an upset by piling on 17 points in 11 minutes.

It was a controversial John Roe try which sparked Queensland's surge.

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