NRL live scores, blog: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at Canberra Stadium

A scrappy and at times spiteful affair comes to an end. The Roosters dug deep and nearly came away with a massive upset - Canberra, despite winning the game, can't possibly be pleased with how that second half played out as concerns on their inability to close out games again came to the fore. Thanks for following along, we'll see you on Wednesday for Origin. 

Croker adds another two. 24-16. 

They boom a long kick down the field, Tupou runs it back and then tries to throw an offload with five seconds remaining but nobody in a Roosters jersey is near the ball. The halfback picks up the gift and touches down as the buzzer goes to make the scoreline a bit more flattering for the hosts. 

Keary throws a long cut-out to the winger, Rapana holds his nerve and sends his opposite man onto the chalk before he can offload - had that pass been allowed to stand, though, Austin had caught it and was off 95 metres up the other end. Canberra scrum, 75 seconds to go. 

A ball goes to ground but it took a Canberra hand! Six more tackles and the Roosters are nearly at the halfway line! 

Austin tries to palm off the entire team after going himself and the ball comes out - the Roosters avoid going further behind, put they'll pack this scrum 90 metres away from the Canberra tryline. Three minutes to go. 

The Roosters chance it early in the set but a poor offload from Tupou is bobbled by Watson as he tried to scoop it off the deck. Canberra could grab a try here and kill the game off. 

Gordon can't convert and it's a slender 18-16 lead for the hosts. Five minutes to go! 

Wow. Keary draws a man before popping a late ball to Gordon, who shoots through and finds his centre as he's running out of gas, and the youngster touches down in the corner. Big conversion coming up! 

Paulo throws a forward pass! Scrum for the Roosters 30m out from their own line. 

Long kick from Easts but it's returned strongly and within two tackles, Canberra are back in the opposition half. 

Wighton grubbers to the corner, Gordon cleans up and the Roosters begin the set ten out from their own line. 

Croker drills it. 18-12, 11 minutes remaining. 

After a long kick the Roosters work it out of their own end but it goes to ground! Soliola scoops it up - two plays later they hold on for too long and Canberra point to the sticks. 

Good set after points and Wighton is tackled 10 out to begin the set. 15 to go. 

Gordon slots it! 16-12 with 16 minutes to go. 

Acrobatic put down right on the sideline and it's given the green lights. Game on folks! 

The ball goes to ground and then it's a penalty for backchat. Roosters right back on the charge! 

My goodness - this is up there with Shannon Hegarty for the Rabbitohs in 2004 - Huge break up the middle as Keary, Friend and Gordon combine...it's swung left and it's with the lock forward who has both Mitchell and Tupou completely unmarked on his outside, but he goes himself and then loses it over the try line trying to offload! What a let-off for Canberra.