Trailing 13-12 at half-time after Knights halfback Jarrod Mullen had nailed a field goal just before the break, the Sharks got up thanks to Luke Covell's goals in the 55th and 78th minutes.

The first penalty was awarded in controversial circumstances, with Newcastle five-eighth Chris Bailey ruled to have infringed in the play-the-ball despite seeming to fall over as he tried to get up.

The second, a stripping penalty, was awarded by the video referee after referee Tony Archer had originally given a Sharks knock-on.

A clearly frustrated Knights coach Brian Smith believed his side had done enough to win but would not comment on the referee.

Asked what he thought of the second-half penalties, Smith only offered: ''I didn't think anything of them, I'm over them.

''Nothing's changed, it's just the same week after week so we'll just keep working hard for it,'' he said.

''I thought we did enough to win at times tonight, so it was very disappointing not to win in the end.''

Sharks coach Ricky Stuart praised his side's ability to fight off a Knights side he knew would be desperate.

''It was very satisfying, at this time last year that was probably us on the receiving end,'' Stuart said.

''I know how hard it is to beat a team that's depleted because you're expected to beat them ... I thought it was a really disciplined display by our players in how we controlled the football and I thought our defence on Kurt Gidley was very strong.''

Shark Paul Gallen did not want to comment on being placed on report for a high shot on the Knights' Cooper Vuna.

But he felt he was now being targeted by referees because of his aggressive reputation.

''I think I was penalised three times tonight and I'll have to have a look to see what they were like,'' Gallen said.

''Yeah I think I'm probably targeted a bit but I probably built that reputation so I've only got myself to blame for it.

''I'm doing my best to curb my ways and get a better relationship with the referees. I'm working towards that.''

The Knights, without experienced trio Danny Buderus, Steve Simpson and Adam MacDougall due to injury, were gallant in defeat and defended strongly all night.

Their chances of a late comeback suffered a big blow when Mullen, one of their best, was forced off at 65 minutes with a hip-flexor injury.

Both sides scored twice in the first half, David Simmons and Fraser Anderson for the Sharks, and Zeb Taia and debutant Fijian winger Aku Uake for the Knights.

AAP