Bulldogs snatch victory from the jaws of defeat

THE Bulldogs became the first side in NRL history to win three games in a row by one point after a thrilling come-from-behind 15-14 victory over South Sydney at ANZ Stadium yesterday.

A bumper crowd of 43,255 was treated to a Good Friday thriller which was won by Trent Hodkinson's drop-goal two minutes from time as the game appeared to be headed to golden point extra-time.

Hodkinson also kicked the winning field goal last week against the Warriors and was the hero again yesterday, kicking two conversions and a penalty to be perfect with the boot.

The win was the Dogs' fourth in a row and took them to the top of the ladder.

In a tight first half, it took until the 31st minute for the deadlock to be broken, with Adam Reynolds giving the Rabbitohs the lead with a penalty.

Englishman Sam Burgess crossed from close range to stretch the lead just before the break with Reynolds converting to make it 8-0 at half-time.

A Mitch Brown try and a sideline conversion from Hodkinson narrowed the gap to 8-6 early in the second half before Souths skipper John Sutton barged over and Reynolds converted to give them the lead back.

Winger Corey Thompson hit back with a try for the Dogs with Hodkinson again on target from wide out before the halfback levelled the scores with another penalty.

Reynolds then missed a field goal with five minutes left as Souths went for the win before Hodkinson struck his effort between the uprights to seal a remarkable win with two minutes left.