Penrith halfback Luke Walsh says silly errors are costing his team from showing their best this NRL season but he’s assured Panthers’ fans they’re working overtime to eradicate them.

The Panthers squandered a great chance to land back-to-back wins when late mistakes led to them falling 15-14 to Cronulla at home on Saturday night.

Penrith clawed back from 12-4 at halftime to lead 14-12 before a dropped ball and penalty let the Sharks back into the game which was eventually clinched by a late Todd Carney field goal.

The home side completed just 67 per cent of their sets of six in the end to the Sharks’ 87 per cent with the Panthers making over 100 more tackles than Cronulla.

The result means Penrith are two from five this season and in danger of falling out of the top eight ahead of Monday night’s clash with Manly at Brookvale.

“It was very frustrating and turning the ball over in the end cost us the game,” Walsh said.

“We made plenty of silly errors early in the game too and that forced us to defend straight away and be on the back foot early.

“We’re competing really well but there’s just times when we’re throwing silly passes and turning the ball over.

“It’s frustrating but the good thing is everyone’s putting in. I can tell you and our fans that we are working very hard to get these things out of our game.”

The Panthers showed glimpses of what they are capable of against the Sharks with a sweeping backline play resulting in a try out wide to speedster Michael Jennings.

“We just got through our sets and completed really well and that’s what got us back in the game but in the end we thought we could throw the ball anywhere … it was pretty stupid play and it cost us.

“We need to train really hard this week and make sure we take those little things out of our game because playing Manly is tough enough as it is.”