Warriors coach Andrew McFadden knows he isn’t in a position to complain about the details – all that matters is his team keeps banking the competition points.

A worrying trend has developed where each week the Warriors lose key personnel.

After Sunday’s scrappy 16-12 win against the last-placed Sharks, former Origin centre Dane Nielsen (concussion) and promising rookie Tuimoala Lolohea (hamstring) were added to the list.

With a host of players forced into unfamiliar positions, and errors piling up, the Warriors clung desperately to their slender lead and climbed to sixth on the NRL ladder where they will remain regardless of other results in the round.

“It was a pretty scrappy win. We needed to win and we haven’t backed up after a big win in the past. We’ll take it,” McFadden said after they broke a five-game losing streak against the Sharks.

The Sharks fought back admirably from a 16-6 halftime deficit and found themselves within reach of a major upset thanks to the aerial skills Sosaia Feki showed when scoring 15 minutes from time.

Coach James Shepherd refused to dwell on a missed opportunity in the closing stages where hooker Pat Politoni failed to feed Michael Gordon for a potential match-winning try in his 150th NRL game.

He instead lauded the character his side showed to match the Warriors in all areas but the scoreboard after they were expected to win comfortably following last week’s 58-14 thrashing of Canberra.

“Our attitude was great. Our effort was great. And then to keep them scoreless in the second half was a magnificent defensive display,” Shepherd said.

“Maybe with a shade more luck or a decision, we may have grabbed it there at the end. I’m really proud of them.”

The Sharks suffered the loss of captain Paul Gallen due to illness before kick-off and must regroup before taking on Melbourne next Saturday as they look to avoid the wooden spoon.

There are also concerns over prop Andrew Fifita, who refused to leave the game despite fears he had broken his left arm. The New South Wales hard-man returned to the field only to be taken off again with a leg injury.

Meanwhile, the Warriors are confident star halfback Shaun Johnson will return to face the Knights at Hunter Stadium.

McFadden also revealed that rookies David Fusitu’a and Solomone Kata will be considered to fill Lolohea’s vacant wing spot.