A defensive masterclass from Melbourne has taken the Storm to a 26-8 NRL win over an undermanned North Queensland in Townsville.

The Cowboys were forced to play two men down for most of Friday night’s contest. Second-rower Gavin Cooper (calf) and winger Antonio Winterstein (hamstring) suffered game-ending injuries inside the opening 10 minutes.

The home side still gave title favourites Melbourne a stern test of their premiership credentials.

Doubles to wingers Josh Addo-Carr and Suliasi Vunivalu did the damage for the Storm, as the Cowboys battled bravely before slumping to a second-straight loss to lose further ground in the top-four race.

North Queensland made a horror start when winger Kyle Feldt spilt a bomb and Addo-Carr made them pay immediately when he crossed in the corner off the resulting scrum.

The Cowboys were lifted by crafty hooker Jake Granville, who bustled his way over the line to score from close range, with Ethan Lowe’s conversion putting the hosts ahead by two points.

Lowe struck a penalty goal to extend his side’s lead to four, but the Storm went back in front when Queensland State of Origin star Will Chambers proved too classy for makeshift centre Coen Hess, who was forced into the backs as part of an injury-forced reshuffle.

Melbourne’s Vunivalu pounced on an inch-perfect Cooper Cronk grubber kick just before the break, with Smith’s conversion taking their lead out to 16-8.

The opening 20 minutes of the second half went scoreless. Melbourne’s defence stood firm time and time again and their scrambling play managed to cruel a host of Cowboys attacking opportunities.

North Queensland were forced into a mountain of defensive work and they were finally broken when Vunivalu pounced on another grubber to complete his double.

A late breakaway try to Addo-Carr put the result well beyond doubt and the Cowboys face a nervous wait on the fitness of Cooper and Winterstein.