'I'm pretty confused with it all': Tigers left stunned after controversial call costs them a win

North Queensland co-captain Chad Townsend believes he followed regular protocols when asking referee Chris Butler to challenge a call that saw his side pip Wests Tigers after the siren on Sunday.

His teammate Valentine Holmes kicked a controversial penalty goal to seal a 27-26 victory over the last-placed Tigers after Kyle Feldt was run-off his line by Asu Kepaoa with just one second remaining on the clock.

The Cowboys trailed 25-26 after two late tries set up Wests for a memorable come-from-behind victory before referee Butler stepped in.

“I saw the escort, went over to the ref straight away, I saw the challenge and I think the touchy looked over and gave the ref a nod and saw the same thing as I saw,” Townsend said about the incident.

“He asked me what I was challenging, I said the escort, Feldty was on the ground, I thought he (Kepaoa) changed his line.

“Over the course of the season, sometimes you get them (decisions) and sometimes you don’t. And tonight, we got one.”

The NRL on Sunday defended the call to allow North Queensland to challenge the play claiming the correct process had been followed.

But Tigers playmaker Jackson Hasting said losing skipper James Tamou’s 300th NRL match was a bitter pill to swallow.

“I’m pretty confused with it all,” Hastings told AAP.

“Wasn’t quite sure if that’s an escort worth a penalty.

“All in all it was a great game of football and we played for our leader Jimmy Tamou, and if anyone deserved to win it was him.

“We just need to keep fighting and make sure we finish the year strong.”