The Panthers were defeated 26-10 by Manly Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium on Saturday.
After trailing 14-0 at the break, the Panthers surged early in the second half with Blaize Talagi and Izack Tago scoring to bring Penrith back into the contest.
However it was not to be for the Panthers as penalties, errors and two sin bins proved costly.
Manly turned to their right edge for both first-half tries, as Reuben Garrick sliced through for the opener before Tommy Talau touched down in the corner.
Garrick converted both, and added a penalty goal after a string of infringements.
Scott Sorensen was contentiously sin-binned late in the first half, after he was deemed to have made high contact on Nathan Brown.
The poor half was reflected on the stats sheet with Manly dominating possession (58%) and the penalty count (6-2).
Two HIAs did not help the Panthers cause, as both Casey McLean and Brad Schneider were temporarily forced off the field.
After keeping Manly scoreless through Sorensen’s absence, the Panthers came to life early in the second half.
The playmakers reignited the Panthers night when Nathan Cleary kicked a 40/20 and Blaze Talagi scooted over on the shortside.
Cleary’s sideline conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but the Panthers soon had a second try.
Penrith spun the ball right on a set play, where Paul Alamoti’s threw a fantastic offload for Izack Tago to touch down.
Cleary landed his kick from out wide, making it 14-10 after 50 minutes.
The Panthers appeared to have levelled up when Luke Sommerton launched for the try line, but the hooker came up just short.
Manly went down a man when Sio Siua Taukeiaho was sin-binned for high contact, but it was soon 12-on-12 as Alamoti was sent for a professional foul.
The Panthers second sin bin of the night proved fatal, as Manly went back-to-back to kill off the game.
Haumole Olakau'atu won an aerial contest to score, before Tolutau Koula cut through out wide.
The Panthers now turn their attention to NRL Magic Round, where they will face Brisbane Broncos on Sunday 4 May.
