Second-chance winger Bryson Goodwin bagged a double as the Bulldogs claimed a 30-18 NRL victory over North Queensland at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

Dumped by Cronulla last year and handed a minimum wage deal at the Dogs, Goodwin proved his claim to bargain buy of the year by scoring his 14th try from as many games as the Bulldogs secured a five tries to three win in front of 13,461 fans.

The win ensures the Bulldogs remain equal top of the ladder with St George Illawarra and ends their four-game losing streak against the Cowboys.

Goodwin blazed away from 40m out to score his second try of the night in the 53rd minute, restoring his side's 18 point lead after a controversial ruling by video referee Bill Harrigan amid claims he gave the Cowboys a "get square" try after a bungle by referee Jared Maxwell on half-time.

Maxwell denied Cowboys forward Steve Rapira's out-stretched effort in the 39th minute, telling halfback Johnathan Thurston the ball was "three inches short" of the tryline even though replays suggested it was a legitimate four-pointer.

Harrigan was then called upon just 10 minutes after the break to decide on a dummy half charge from Anthony Watts and awarded a benefit of the doubt try even though there was no evidence the ball touched the chalk.

Commentator Phil Gould questioned whether Harrigan was "influenced" by Maxwell's earlier no decision.

"That was a get square if ever there was one," said Channel Nine commentator Mark Geyer.

"That was a karma try."

The Bulldogs made the most of a timid opening half, taking a 12-0 lead into the break on the back of a Josh Morris 55m try in the 23rd minute after in-form five-eighth Ben Roberts made a break inside his own 20m.

Goodwin opened his account in the 29th minute after an offload by Morris was shovelled to the blindside by skipper Andrew Ryan.

The Dogs extended their advantage just four minutes after half-time when lock Greg Eastwood barged over from a Jarrad Hickey bust.

Fullback Luke Patten bombed a certain four-pointer in the sixth minute when Hazem El Masri's kick bounced off his head, but he made amends in the 67th minute by latching onto Brett Kimmorley's grubber.

However there was also doubt on this try as the ball also bounced off his head and Harrigan again made the questionable decision.

Cowboys hooker Aaron Payne (73rd minute) and winger John Williams (77th) added late consolation tries.

"He has been outstanding all year," said Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore on Goodwin.

"His performance does not change from week to week ... he has been a great find for us."

Cowboys coach Neil Henry was upset at Maxwell's refusal to check Rapira's first half attempt.

"If any part of the ball was on the line I won't be happy," said Henry.

"At 12-6 it would have been significant."

Moore was equally bemused at the Watts decision by Harrigan after half-time, adding his team had been told, after game reviews, they were on the wrong end of seven or eight try rulings throughout the season.

"I thought the same as the 26 players on the field who were ready for a play the ball," said Moore,

"It makes a pretty big decision for points for and against when they continually get it wrong."

Despite the controversy there was no doubting the Bulldogs were the far superior side, the two late Cowboys tries robbing them of the chance to leapfrog the Dragons on top of the ladder.

"The Bulldogs are tenacious, they are playing good footy and have been all year," said Henry.

"We seriously need to address playing away from home. If we cannot match the intensity of sides away then we are no chance in this competition at all."

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