Parramatta held off a fast-finishing North Queensland to secure a scrappy 18-16 National Rugby League win and maintain their 100 percent record at Parramatta Stadium this season.
Dominant for large spells of the game thanks to another masterful performance from fullback Jarryd Hayne, the Eels hung on in the final five minutes as the Cowboys finished strongly.
A Michael Morgan try in the 78th minute proved to be too little too late as Paul Green's side slumped to their sixth straight away defeat of the season.
Hayne warmed up for Origin II by scoring a try and having a hand in two more as the Eels chalked up their seventh win of the season.
Will Hopoate did his hopes of returning to the NSW side no harm with a solid defensive display but a dropped pass just in front of the North Queensland line with less than a minute remaining set up a nervous finish.
The Eels, after two successive wooden spoon seasons. now find themselves fourth on the NRL ladder just two points off first place.