A 89th-minute Aidan Sezer field goal has given Canberra a dramatic 15-14 NRL victory over Cronulla to spoil Paul Gallen's home farewell.
The Sharks were leading 12-0, when Raiders fullback Charnze Nikoll-Klokstad began the comeback in the 49th minute.
Ten minutes later, scores were locked at 12-12, when Nick Cotric crossed one play after an 80-metre kick return by skipper Jarrod Croker.
That set up a frantic final quarter, which included Sezer and Chad Townsend trading two clutch field goals each to send Sunday afternoon's game into extra time.
Neither side were able to get a look in the opening period of 'golden point', but the Raiders managed to force a repeat set on resumption.
Sezer stepped up to the plate for the third time, showing serious composure to pick up a loose pass on the bounce, before slotting the 25-metre shot.
The defeat for the Sharks leaves them in eighth spot, but just two points ahead of Newcastle and the Wests Tigers, with one round left in the regular season.
The Tigers could join Cronulla on 24 points, if they defeated St George Illawarra later on Sunday, but would remain outside the eight on points differential.
The Tigers host the Sharks at Leichhardt Oval in the final round.
The Sharks will again be left to bemoan their struggles in front of goal, with late call-up Kyle Flanagan missing all three conversion attempts in the first half.
The Sharks have scored more tries than their opposition for the fourth time this season, only to end up on the wrong end of the scoreboard.
The home side initially looked like being on the right end of the contest, even after losing star halfback Shaun Johnson to a quad injury in the warm-up.
Replacement Flanagan made an early impact, producing a neat cutout pass for rookie winger Ronaldo Mulitalo to post first points in the 17th minute.
Not to be outdone, halves partner Townsend put Bronson Xerri through for Jayden Brailey to score, before Flanagan made it a three-try lead at halftime.
The Sydney Roosters-bound playmaker came up with an offload that led to a second for Mulitalo to complete a dominant first half.
With Flanagan missing all three shots at goal, the Sharks continued to struggle in front of goal.
Sharks fullback Josh Dugan also failed to emerge from the sheds for the second half, after failing a concussion test at the break.
AAP
Join us at 5pm Saturday for live updates of the Warriors v Raiders NRL contest
