The North Queensland Cowboys have bucked a three-game losing streak with a 28-6 victory over Parramatta in their NRL game at Townsville.

After trailing 6-0 following a fourth minute try to Eels winger Matt Petersen, the Cowboys shut the blue and golds out of the game.

Not that they weren't helped by a woefully ill-disciplined Eels outfit, who were repeatedly penalised for high tackles and play the ball infringements, while their ball handling was atrocious.

The visitors struggled to complete a set in the second half after having possession for the first six minutes of the game, which culminated in the Petersen try.

And while the home side failed to put away the Eels as comprehensively as they should have, the win was vital in their desperate quest for a maiden finals appearance.

The Cowboys still sit outside of the top eight, but skip three points clear of Parramatta, whose season now appears at the mercy of other results.

Following Petersen's try, the Cowboys hit back through winger Ty Williams, the North Queensland speedster bagging the first of a double.

Monstrous 115 kilogram forward Shane Tronc barged over to help the Cowboys to a 14-6 halftime lead.

A mistake-riddled second 40 minutes failed to come alive until the final 15 minutes as both sides struggled with their handling and execution in near-perfect rugby league conditions.

Two Josh Hannay penalties extended the Cowboys' lead to 12 points at 18-6, before flyer Rod Jensen scooted onto a Nathan Fien pass for a try, the Cowboys ahead 24-6 following Hannay's sixth goal.

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