The Thunderbolts have suffered a heartbreaking 22-20 loss to North Queensland at 1300SMILES Stadium in Townsville on Saturday evening.
A last minute try to the hosts left the young Melbourne side devastated having seemingly done enough to hold on for the two points.
North Queensland capitalised on a penalty to open the scoring as Viliame Kikau made the most of a gap in the Storm defence to score under the posts.
With the half winding down the Thunderbolts struck back with halfback Jake Turpin finishing a breakaway for Matt Adamson’s side. The equality was short lived however with Conor Carey restoring the hosts lead just prior to half-time.
The home side extended the lead midway through the second half before a stirring comeback from the visitors handed them a two point advantage.
With under a minute remaining, backed by the support of their home crowd, the young Cowboys found some space on the left wing to clinch a thrilling victory.
The loss sees the U20 Thunderbolts drop back from the NYC Cup top eight. Next weekend they will host the Roosters on Sunday 8 June at AAMI Park.
