By Jacob Shteyman in Canberra

Newcastle have kept their long NRLW winning streak alive, but only after being awarded a last-minute penalty try in a 26-20 win over Canberra.

The two-time reigning premiers twice came from behind to deny the Raiders a gutsy win at GIO Stadium on Saturday, in an early contender for game of the season.

After two tight wins to start their title defence, the benchmark Knights remain unbeaten in their last 11 games with a streak that dates back to early last season.

“We’ve spoken about we’re going to be hunted every week,” Knights coach Ben Jeffries said after Saturday’s dramatic win.

“That’s how it is, we can’t shy away from that sort of thing.”

The Knights were stunned by two quick tries from the home side in the opening seven minutes, and fought their way back into the game.

But with scores level in the final minute, Newcastle fullback Tamika Upton was deemed to have been tackled without the ball by opposite number Apii Nicholls while chasing a grubber kick

The bunker ruled that action denied her a certain try and awarded the penalty try that sealed the win.

The visitors had dominated territory, spending more than two-thirds of the game in Canberra’s half, but took until the 54th minute to take the lead when prop Caitlan Johnston-Green crashed over next to the posts.

The Raiders hit back again through Shakiah Tungai but the experienced Knights once again levelled the scores.

Winger Lilly-Ann White, on her NRLW debut, plucked a bomb out of the air deep in Newcastle territory and almost ran the length of the field to score.

The Knights wouldn’t be denied in the next play, with a sweeping move to the right ending up in the hands of Sheridan Gallagher on the wing to score and set up a grandstand finish.

It was an impressive introduction to first grade for White, who scored her maiden try in the first half and also made three line-breaks.