Was this the moment that cost North Queensland? Valentine Holmes botches simple try as Cowboys suffer two-point defeat by Gold Coast Titans

Valentine Holmes made an uncharacteristic error as the Cowboys suffered defeat to a gutsy Gold Coast Titans side on Sunday. 

The Titans rallied after losing captain Kieran Foran in the 60th minute with a hamstring injury, and put in a brave performance to take home all the points. 

But it could have been a different outcome had Holmes converted when presented with the opportunity to score a routine try.

With 12 minutes remaining, Holmes had the chance to reduce the deficit to 20-10 as he looked to score in the left corner of the field.

He had only Jojo Fifita to beat, but instead of diving for the line he tried to take him on and failed to do so, fumbling the ball in the process.

The Cowboys went on to lose 20-18. 

'Why didn't he dive, Holmes? Why didn't he dive earlier?' a baffled Michael Ennis said. 

'It's been desperation all afternoon from this Gold Coast side. There have been so many moments like this,' Ennis said of Fifita's effort. 

Holmes was in a position to reduce the deficit to 20-10 with 12 minutes remaining as he looked to score in the left corner, with only Jojo Fifita to beat. 

Departing Gold Coast forward David Fifita was playing for the first time since last week rejecting a two-year option to stay with the Titans to join the Sydney Roosters on a four-year deal from next year.

He took his first hit up and sections of the home crowd at Robina responded with a chorus of boos. He received the odd cheer as well, but the message was clear.

The crowd of 12,125 soon changed their tune as the boom back-rower played his part in the first Titans try when he followed a Kieran Foran bomb and offloaded for Jojo Fifita to score.

Fifita did it all himself for the Titans' next try, using his giant frame as a battering ram to score from close range.

The first half was a cavalcade of dumb football from the Cowboys.

That stupidity went into overdrive when winger Semi Valemei kicked a Foran bomb instead of trying to catch it. Brimson scored and it was 20-0 at the break.

Foran, who put in a barnstorming defensive display, plus Brimson and Jojo Fifita were sensational for the home side.

Brimson saved what appeared to be a certain try to Cowboy winger Kyle Feldt with a desperate effort in the corner after the break.

After Foran left the field, the Cowboys scored with Jeremiah Nanai chasing a Chad Townsend grubber kick. Townsend put Nanai over for his second and then the veteran half threw a cutout pass onto the chest of winger Kyle Feldt.

Feldt was sailing for the line in the final minutes when a gang of Titans rumbled him over the sideline.

The season of the Cowboys is now in freefall after their fifth loss in a row.

Bench forward Jason Taumalolo and fullback Scott Drinkwater did their best to ignite the side but they had few mates until it was too late.

The defence of the Titans on their goal line was first class and the best they have delivered this season. To a man they put their bodies on the line and needed to.

Second-rower Beau Fermor had his best game of the season after missing last year with an ACL rupture.