Newcastle have moved into the NRL top eight with a gutsy 18-12 victory over Canterbury in Mackay on Sunday.

The Bulldogs took an early second-half lead in Ben Barba’s north Queensland home town when Josh Morris scored after a strong run.

But tries to veteran hooker Danny Buderus in the 59th minute and Chris Houston 10 minutes later sealed the Knights’ second win in a row and lifted Wayne Bennett’s men over the Bulldogs on the ladder.

The teams were locked 8-all after a half where the Knights dominated territory but couldn’t pull clear of the Bulldogs.

Houston and in-form winger James McManus scored the first-half tries for Newcastle while Josh Reynolds and Krisnan Inu crossed for Canterbury.

Home town favourite Barba, who went close to a try twice in the Dogs’ opening set, had the fans on their feet when he stepped his way clear late in the half.

But a brilliant effort by Knights halfback Tyrone Roberts denied the Bulldogs fullback on the goal-line.