The Panthers handed the Warriors their third straight loss, with a 28 to 24 victory at Mount Smart Stadium. PENRITH dont have the talent or reputations of some of the other teams that remain in finals contention, but no one can question the tremendous character that stirs within Ivan Clearys bunch of no-name misfits. In perhaps the most inspiring victory of their injury-ravaged season, the Panthers on Sunday fought back from being 12-0 down to defeat the Warriors 28-24 to keep their season alive. In a thrilling game in Auckland, the Panthers looked to be heading for a disaster early when the Warriors crossed for two tries in the opening 10 minutes. But from there they responded with the type of heart and resilience they have shown all season for a win that keeps them in play-off contention with three rounds of the regular season remaining. On 22 competition points, the Panthers will need to win all their remaining games against the Broncos (home), Bulldogs (away) and Sea Eagles (away) to have any chance of making the finals cut. Given the quality of their roster, you'd say it seems an unlikely outcome. But if you had seen the grit they played with Sunday, you'd agree with their inspirational skipper Kevin Kingston that they have every right to stay positive. Penrith coach, Ivan Cleary, pinpointed the first try his side scored as being the turning point for his side. "You don't know the relief we are feeling right now," Kingston told Fox Sports. We worked really hard for that one. You just need that gritty win to get the points and get your season on a roll again. Kingston was enormous for the Panthers, clocking up 47 tackles, but all over the park there were blokes who deserved their share of recognition. Wingers Dave Simmons and Josh Mansour both had monster games. They both crossed for doubles and they defended against the Warriors" huge outside backs like their lives depended on it. And the work from their big men up front was just as special. Tim Grant charged for 192 metres from 19 hit ups and with Mose Masoe and Sam McKendry in fine form the Panthers more than matched the Warriors" giant engine room. Luke Walsh's goalkicking was another feature, landing four of five conversions. Asked if the season was truly alive after ending a four-match losing streak, Kingston smiled: "Stranger things have happened." After trailing 12-0 early, the Panthers ran in four answered tries to go 22-12 with spectacular doubles to Simmons and Mansour. The Warriors brought it back to 22-18 when Suaia Matagi crashed over in the 62nd minute before Sika Manu finished off a spectacular end-to-end movement to give Penrith a 28-18 lead in the 67th minute. But the Warriors set up a grandstand finish when Konrad Hurrell smashed over to make it 28-24 in the 71st minute. From there the Warriors came at the Panthers time and again in the dying minutes but the visitors refused to buckle and held on for a memorable win. A disappointed Warriors skipper Simon Mannering lamented: "We still fought back well to give ourselves a chance but we probably shouldn't have been in that position in the first place with the way we started. But we just took the foot off the pedal and Penrith gave it to us in the end. It was a crucial loss for the Warriors who are also on 22 competition points with their remaining games against the Titans (away), Raiders (home) and Dragons (away).