Interim coach Dean Young failed to pad out his application for the full-time role at St George Illawarra as North Queensland edged the Dragons 23-22 in an NRL golden point finish on Sunday evening.

Young remains in contention for the top job alongside fellow interviewees David Furner and Anthony Griffin, with a decision expected by the NRL club as soon as this week.

But any hopes of a final statement – or a finals statement by the Dragons – were quashed by a Valentine Holmes field goal four minute into extra time.

It was fifth time lucky for the point as the sides traded shots before Holmes had his first attempt charged down, only to ice the game after the Cowboys were gifted a repeat set.

The win at Queensland Country Bank Stadium was North Queensland’s first in the 10 games, dating back to a June 27 victory over Newcastle.

Without key playmaker and captain Michael Morgan and destructive forward Jason Taumalolo (both calf), the Cowboys had to rely on enthusiasm more than class and appeared up for the contest early.

A simple try to prop Francis Molo, who barged over one-off the ruck, helped the hosts to a 6-0 lead after seven minutes.

But then it was largely the Dragons for the rest of the first half.

Euan Aitken strolled over untouched before a spectacular four-pointer to winger Mikaele Ravalawa in the corner in the 30th minute.

The sides traded tries early in the second half before five-eighth Scott Drinkwater took charge for the Cowboys.

Drinkwater worked his magic to set up tries for Holmes and Kyle Feldt to give the Cowboys a 22-20 edge.

Zak Lomax levelled the scores with a 77th-minute penalty goal but he and Corey Norman failed with drop goal attempts before the Cowboys capitalised.