Two late tries to Michael Morgan and Ashley Graham have given North Queensland their third victory of a slow-starting NRL campaign, a 30-12 win over Canberra.

Halfback Morgan was denied a try by the video referees in the 57th minute on Saturday night but had one shortly after, backing up a Tariq Sims’ break to score seven minutes later.

Captain Johnathan Thurston added a penalty goal in the 74th minute and then the Australian star’s grubber kick gave winger Graham his fifth try of the season with two minutes remaining.

The Cowboys led 16-6 at halftime, with Canberra’s try coming in the eighth minute when winger Edrick Lee intercepted a Matt Bowen pass 35 metres out.

It was North Queensland who scored first, after only three minutes through Brent Tate, Bowen throwing the last pass on that occasion as well.

Five minutes after, Jarrod Croker converted the Lee try to give the green machine a 6-4 lead, the Cowboys’ response was Glenn Hall crashing over to the right of the posts in the 16th minute.

In the 24 minutes after halftime, the sides traded blows without the scoreline changing.

The Cowboys successfully defended repeated line dropouts, while Morgan had his effort disallowed when he grounded the ball millimetres short.

Finally, however, the Cowboys managed to add to their total in the 64th minute.

Second-rower Sims stepped off his right foot and into the clear near halfway before perfectly positioning Morgan for the clincher, which Thurston duly converted.

Canberra’s penchant for miraculous escapes became a topic of interest when Jack Wighton crossed in the 70th minute after the home side failed to tidy up a kick at the back.

Thurston missed converting Graham’s try but booted a penalty goal as the siren sounded.