It was the first success for the Knights since they downed Wests Tigers in round six last year.

They finished last season with 18 consecutive defeats, and after a loss to the Warriors last week, were staring at the prospect of becoming the first club since Newtown in 1977 to lose 20 games in a row.

At times that scenario appeared likely against the Titans, who bravely battled a horror injury toll to lead 26-22 in the 75^th minute.

Both teams defended soundly in the early exchanges, but the Titans were the first to crack in the 18^th minute, when fullback Brendan Elliot burst onto a short ball from Knights five-eighth Brock Lamb.

Despite a dubious put-down, the video referee approved the try and Newcastle skipper Trent Hodkinson converted.

It was 12-0 six minutes later when bench prop Jack Stockwell crashed over for his second try in as many weeks, after a pass from lock Mitch Barnett.

Gold Coast hit back in spectacular fashion with a freakish try by centre Konrad Hurrell in the 28^th minute.

After the home team allowed an Ash Taylor crossfield kick to bounce, Titans winger Anthony Don leapt above the dead-ball line and batted the Steeden back into the field of play.

Hurrell was on the spot to catch it and touch down, and Taylor converted from the sideline.

Three minutes later, there was a turning point when Lamb hoisted a bomb and Knights winger Ken Sio raced away to apparently score untouched.

But video replays revealed Newcastle’s kick-chasers were offside, resulting in a no-try ruling.

Within a minute, Taylor produced another miracle play when, despite three defenders, he flicked a pass out the back and subtitute Karl Lawton scooted in to score.

Taylor’s goal made it 12-all, but the casualties were starting to mount for Gold Coast.

Superstar Jarryd Hayne (ankle), winger Anthony Don (pectoral) and Lawton (shoulder) were all replaced, leaving the visitors with just one fresh player on the bench. 

Despite this, Gold Coast took the lead just before half-time when winger Tyronne Roberts-Davis scored in the corner, after Elliot had knocked on from a scrum win and presented the visitors with perfect field position to attack.

Elliot made amends four minutes after the interval when he produced a try-assist for winger Nathan Ross with a great pass at the line.

Gold Coast regained the lead with a remarkable try in the 50^th minute, in which 11 players handled and two kicks were produced before Joe Greenwood dived over.

Newcastle wrested back the advantage six minutes later when 19-year-old back-rower Sam Stone charged onto a short ball from Lamb and raced 20 metres to score.

Hodkinson steered the kick over to put the Knights 22-20 ahead, only for Taylor to equalise four minutes later with a penalty goal.

Taylor’s class shone in the 69^th minute when he produced a pinpoint chip kick for Hurrell to catch and score, inches from the sideline.

But the Knights hung in and sealed victory with tries by centre Peter Mata’utia in the 75^th minute and Ross a minute before full-time, both converted by Hodkinson.