Warriors dig deep to catch North Queensland Cowboys Warriors skipper Simon Mannering played a leading role in his team's win over North Queensland at Mt Smart Stadium Source: Getty Images THE Warriors have broken their 268-day NRL drought. Bu they had to dow it the hard the way, coming from behind to beat North Queensland 20-18 in a frenetic encounter in Auckland. Halfback Shaun Johnson's penalty three minutes from time took the home side out to a 20-12 lead, before winger Antonio Winterstein scored late for the Cowboys. The Warriors survived the last two minutes to record their first win since last July and end an 11-match losing streak. Having used up their substitutions, they played the last few minutes with 12 men, after Ben Henry went off with concussion. Earlier, the Warriors, who already have a lengthy casualty list, had seen Dane Nielsen go off with a rib problem and a groggy Kevin Locke helped off after a heavy tackle. The result meant a third defeat in a row for the Cowboys. The Warriors' comeback began just before halftime with an Elijah Taylor try. It continued early in the second half after a 100-metre attack that started with a Kevin Locke offload in his own in-goal. Young winger Ngani Laumape's kick-and-chase forced a repeat set, and Johnson jinked his way past four tacklers to dot down. He added the conversion to make it 12-12. The Warriors hit the front for the first time in a game this season after a reprieve when the Cowboys had a try disallowed for a play-the-ball obstruction. From the penalty, a well-structured attack ended with centre Konrad Hurrell finding a hole to the tryline. Johnson again added the conversion. As both teams fatigued from the pace of the game, errors crept in. Twice the Cowboys let slip try scoring opportunities that could have drawn them back level. First centre Brent Tate was sent clear, but fullback Matthew Bowen couldn't hang on to the pass with the line clear. With nine minutes to go, another Tate pass to an open Kalifa Faifai Loa was ruled forward. Earlier, the Warriors made a spirited start, playing with some adventure, but it was the Cowboys who hit the front first. Johnathan Thurston's kick ahead was blocked but the Cowboys regathered and worked the ball to Faifai Loa, who produced a superb one-handed diving finish. Thurston added the extras from the sideline and then a penalty, before the visitors got their second try. After getting five successive sets, twice when the Warriors couldn't quite hold on to intercepts, the Cowboys eventually converted their flood of possession to put Tate over. At 12-0 down, the Warriors finally hit back to score their first first-half points of the year. They couldn't take advantage of Shaun Johnson's third 40-20 of the season. But with seconds to go till half-time, they finished off a messy period of play from both sides, with Johnson popping up to deliver the pass for Taylor to force his way over. WARRIORS 20 (K Hurrell S Johnson E Taylor tries S Johnson 4 goals) NORTH QUEENSLAND 18 (K Fai Fai Loa B Tate A Winterstein tries J Thurston 3 goals) at Mt Smart Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Henry Perenara. Crowd: 10,572.