wing where centre Joseph Tomane strolled over out wide. Prince missed the conversion to see Newcastle leading 20-16 at the break.
The Titans regained the lead in just the second minute of second half after an error from the kick-off by Lulia gifted the Gold Coast great field position. The Titans worked the play right then left where second-rower Mark Minichello crashed over 15 in from touch. Prince converted to give the Titans a 22-20 lead.
Newcastle was back in front five minutes later when a 40-20 from Dureau put his side on the attack. The Knights worked the play to the right wing where Lulia was brought down just before the line. Uate darted out of dummy-half and muscled his way through three defenders to score the try. Gidley converted from out wide to put Newcastle in front 26-22.
The Knights extended their lead when second-rower Cory Paterson made a barnstorming run inside his own half before offloading to a flying Cooper Vuna, who sprinted down the left wing and then used his strength to bust through the cover defence and crash over in the corner. Gidley missed the conversion to leave the Knights holding a 30-22 lead after 56 minutes.
The game continued at breakneck pace when the Titans scored their fifth try just three minutes later. Prince worked a play down the blindside where winger David Mead sprinted into the clear before showing great skill to stay in the field of play despite a good cover tackle from Gidley to touch down in the corner. Prince threaded the conversion to make it a two-point ball game 30-28 midway through the second-half.
Newcastle was dealt a blow 15 minutes from full-time when Mullen was forced from the field with an ankle injury. Moments later the Titans took advantage of repeat sets to hit the front again when Toopi picked up his second try crashing over out wide after a pin-point pass from Bird. Prince missed the conversion to leave his side holding a narrow 32-30 lead with 12 minutes remaining.
The Titans went further in front four minutes later when the Knights lost the ball inside their own 20. The Gold Coast pounced on the pill before throwing it to the right side where Bird crashed over. Prince converted to make it 38-30 with just seven minutes left on the clock.
Newcastle gave itself a glimmer of hope when Uate crashed over in the corner for his second try after a bust down the middle from interchange forward Richie Fa'aoso. Gidley converted to make it 38-36 with three minutes remaining.
Newcastle Knights 36
Tries: Uate 2, Lulia, Gidley, Dureau, Vuna
Goals: Gidley 6/7
Gold Coast Titans 38
Tries: Toopi 2, Campbell, Tomane, Minichello, Mead, Bird
Goals: Prince 5/6
Crowd 13,384 at EnergyAustralia Stadium