Warriors leave Sydney believing they can beat the NRL's best despite Panthers heartbreak

The Warriors may have left Sydney with a 20-18 loss but they also departed with something just as valuable: belief.

In a heavyweight clash between two of the NRL's top sides, the Warriors pushed defending premiers Penrith all the way at Accor Stadium on Sunday night before falling by just two points in a game decided by fine margins.

Playing without injured star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, the visitors had three tries ruled out and were left frustrated by a pair of crucial bunker decisions.

But their performance against the competition benchmark only strengthened the belief within the squad that they belong among the title contenders.

Lock Erin Clarke said the Warriors proved they can match the best teams in the competition.

"We tested ourselves against one of the best of the comp and I reckon we're there… our style of footy can beat them," Clarke told Sky Sport.

The result leaves Penrith four points clear at the top of the ladder on 24 while the Warriors remain firmly in second place on 20.

For long periods of the game, the visitors looked capable of ending Penrith's winning run.

One of the biggest turning points came when centre Ali Leiataua thought he had scored, only for the try to be overturned after he was ruled offside earlier in the play.

Warriors co-captain James Fisher-Harris and coach Andrew Webster address the media after their side's narrow two-point loss to Penrith in Sydney. Photo/Photosport/David Neilson

The Warriors then suffered another crushing setback late in the match. With the scores locked, Jackson Ford won an aerial contest and Te Maire Martin crossed for what appeared to be a decisive try.

After a lengthy review, the bunker ruled Ford had knocked the ball on in the contest, which wiped out the score.

Despite those setbacks, the Warriors continued to fight.

Penrith led 16-6 at halftime and appeared to be in control. But the Warriors responded strongly after the break.

Martin sparked the comeback when he sliced through the Panthers defence before sending Taine Tuaupiki over.

Penrith players celebrate one of their four tries as the defending premiers edged the Warriors 20-18 in a top-of-the-table clash at Accor Stadium. Photo/NRL

Moments later, Alofiana Khan-Pereira pounced on a Penrith error to give the Warriors the lead and shift momentum firmly in their favour.

Earlier, Jacob Laban had crossed after collecting a perfectly placed cross-field kick as the Warriors repeatedly challenged Penrith's line.

Ford said the players felt they had delivered a performance worthy of more. "We thought we put in a good 80-minute performance," he told Sky Sport.

But champions often find a way. With the contest hanging in the balance, Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards produced the match-winning moment.

He held up a pass before sending Paul Alamoti over for his second try of the night.

While the defeat ended the Warriors' winning run, it also reinforced their credentials as genuine premiership contenders.

The bye now offers an opportunity to recover before they return home to face Cronulla at Go Media Stadium in Auckland. The Sharks defeated Manly 28-22 on Saturday.

If Sunday's performance proved anything, it is that the Warriors are no longer chasing the NRL's elite. They are right alongside them.

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