NORTHERN Pride captain Chris Sheppard had a horror return to the NRL last night, injuring a hamstring as the Cowboys went down 30-18 to the Newcastle Knights.

As revealed in The Cairns Post yesterday, Pride halfback Sheppard was brought into the Cowboys side at late notice, wearing No.18 as he started alongside Johnathan Thurston in the halves at Dairy Farmers Stadium.

The 27-year-old took time to settle, with Newcastle’s Wes Naiqama busting his first tackle to start a 60m movement.

Sheppard then had some strong touches before straining a hamstring which will require scans.

Cowboys coach Ian Millward said Sheppard added to the Cowboys’ attacking options. "(Sheppard) probably took 10 minutes to get into rhythm after playing in the Queensland Cup but he gave us some good options and variety alongside JT," he said.

Late Newcastle tries to Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley, who bagged a double, extinguished any hopes of a victory after Thurston locked up the scores with a penalty goal with 10 minutes remaining.

It was another night to forget for the Cowboys who suffered their seventh straight loss, their worst streak since 1999.

Knights captain Danny Buderus and Gidley, both backing up from New South Wales’ 30-0 State of Origin loss to Queensland, were the destroyers.

Buderus stole plenty of metres from dummy half and set up a try while Gidley grabbed two tries and booted six goals.

Gidley had his first try straight after the break off a Richard Fa’aoso offload and then converted.

Cowboys winger Ben Farrar stemmed the flow with his second try in the 50th minute while a converted Matthew Bartlett four-pointer after a Knights error reduced the margin to two with 16 minutes remaining.

NEWCASTLE 30 (K Gidley 2 M Hilder C Houston J Mullen tries K Gidley 5 goals) d NORTH QUEENSLAND 18 (B Farrar 2 M Bartlett tries J Thurston 3 goals) at Dairy Farmers Stadium. Referee: S Hayne. Crowd: 14,234.

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