Todd Carney kicked a long-range field goal six minutes from full-time to give Cronulla a 15-14 victory over Penrith at Centrebet Stadium.
The loss saw the Panthers slump to their third consecutive defeat at home, a horror record that threatens to keep crowds away over the coming weeks.
Penrith now travel to Brookvale Oval to take on Manly with just two wins under their belt, after they gave up a 14-12 lead to lose by a point to the Sharks.
Cronulla should have been ahead by more at half-time, but they could only manage a 12-4 advantage despite dominating the contest and running over the top of the Panthers.
Penrith looked sharply improved in the second half, and were clearly dominating the clash when a classy Kevin Kingston break led to a Lachlan Coote try, which opened up a 14-12 lead.
A silly mistake from the Panthers then gave the Sharks good field position, and a subsequent penalty allowed them to level the scores.
When Carney made it 15-14, the Sharks were home.
Penrith did have a late chance when the video referee was called upon to review a David Simmons four-pointer, but replays showed he was off-side.
Almost 14,000 people watched the game.
