North Queensland moved within two points of the NRL top eight on Sunday night with a 24-4 win over Cronulla.

Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston set up two tries in the final 10 minutes to bring what had been a low-scoring affair to life and secure North Queensland’s first home win in more than two months.

Sharks captain Paul Gallen was ruled out during the week with a foot injury from Wednesday’s State of Origin II but fullback Michael Gordon (calf) and Beau Ryan (knee) withdrew from the side on game day.

The Cowboys started strongest on their home ground and centre Kane Linnett put them up with just their third set of the game in the fifth minute.

Linnett received an offload from back-rower Tariq Sims and had to beat three defenders to put the ball on the line.

Luke Lewis evened the score for the visitors after taking a Todd Carney pass with a well-timed run to cross for a try as the teams went into halftime at 4-4.

Gavin Cooper restored the Cowboys’ lead five minutes after the re-start and the teams were unable to breach each other’s defence for the next 25 minutes.

Thurston was the difference in the final 10 minutes, laying on tries for Linnett and Antonio Winterstein while kicking a penalty goal to put his side up to 13th on the NRL ladder.

North Queensland prop Ashton Sims might have a date with the judiciary this week after being put on report for a 23rd-minute knee to the head of Sharks fullback Nathan Stapleton.