The Penrith Panthers were ready for an “ugly” afternoon in Canberra against the desperate Raiders with Coach Anthony Griffin telling the media after their 26-22 win that they expected everything to go against them at GIO Stadium.

Penrith’s victory has all but knocked Canberra out of the playoffs race with rising bench player Tyrone May grabbing the match-winner.

“It was obviously one of our best efforts under the circumstances – the penalty count and weight of possession against us in the second half,” Griffin said.

“At this time of the year when you’re playing quality sides away from home you have to be able to hold your hands up defensively and overcome a lot of obstacles.

“Part of our focus was it was going to get really ugly at times with penalty counts and the size and strength of opposition coming at us and it turned out exactly how we thought it would.

“To be able to withstand all that is a real credit to all the boys.”

The Panthers finish the season with blockbuster clashes against St George Illawarra and Manly-Warringah.