Sam Walker was denied a try by the slimmest of margins in a controversial incident that saw Reuben Cotter sent to the bin.
The Roosters talisman almost pulled off a spectacular finish but was denied by the Bunker following a lengthy check.
Walker’s grubber kick rebounded off the post and he was able to ground the ball following a ricochet on the try line.
But the try was chalked off after Walker was judged to have committed a knock-on.
Officials decided the ball brushed off halfback’s thumb, despite replays being unclear.
However the Roosters had a silver lining from the incident as Cotter was sin binned for tackling Walker when he did not have possession.
Yet there was little Cotter could have done to avoid the tackle as several bodies came together under the posts.
The Cowboys star had a baffled look on his face as he was sent to the bin, with commentator Andrew Voss describing the decision as “brutal”.
Fans were left equally as dismayed by the call, which knocked the Cowboys as Hugo Savala scored to make it a one try game moments later.
“The Ruben Cotter sin bin is perhaps the worst decision in history of Rugby League,” wrote one fan.
Another added: “Thought the bunker was to stop ref howlers not add to them. Shocking call for sin bin on Cotter.”
A third wrote: “Not the point the point is the officiating is horrible and cotter sent to the bin for literally nothing.”
And another commented: “That sin bin of cotter is the worst I’ve seen since Tamales. No surprise it’s the roosters getting the rub.”