Manly interim coach Kieran Foran has copped the first defeat of his tenure after his side couldn’t make the most of a one-man advantage and controversial try, losing 18-16 to the Panthers.

In the 64th minute, Penrith lost Jack Cogger when he was sin binned for high contact on Tolutau Koula with two points the difference between both sides.

With youngster Joey Walsh at halfback and Luke Brooks calling the shots from five-eighth, Manly couldn’t find an opening as Penrith’s defence stood tall.

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Jack Cogger’s contact on Tolu Koula. Fox League

Late in the match, the Sea Eagles set up for a two-point field goal on multiple occasions but only one chance was taken when Walsh made a left foot attempt that dropped short.

The Panthers held on for the rest of the fixture to finish victorious and give Foran a sense of what losing feels like.

“When Cogger went to the sin bin that was their chance, they stuffed up that period,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.

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Cogger will await what comes with the match review committee while Ben Trbojevic was also put on report for a high shot earlier in the match.

Manly were at a slight disadvantage throughout the game too with Kobe Hetherington going off for an HIA and failing in the early exchanges. Hetherington had tried to tackle Isaah Yeo but had his positioning all wrong and knocked his head into Yeo’s thigh.

One of the more controversial moments of the match came when Manly hit a 16-12 lead in the 52nd minute with Lehi Hopoate scoring in the corner.

The Bunker was told to check a possible obstruction in the lead-up to the try, with Nathan Cleary taken out by Clayton Faulalo on his outside shoulder.

Nathan Cleary is taken out before a try.  Fox League

“At first glance, I don’t think this can be awarded because Nathan Cleary would push off and get to Luke Brooks, no try,” Cronk said.

Cronk continued by saying it was “100 per cent no try” before it was surprisingly awarded.

Reuben Garrick subsequently missed the conversion which proved costly because Izack Tago scored in the 60th minute with Cleary adding two points.

Post-match, Panthers coach Ivan Cleary thought it was a “pretty obvious obstruction”.

Ivan Cleary and Isaah Yeo.  NRL

“I think we’ve got a bit of an issue where officials are making decisions on whether it’s affected the defensive line or not,” he said.

“Respectfully … do they learn about that when they’re learning about refereeing? I’m not sure about that … if you lose one of the guys inside it absolutely affects what happens.”