It was the power play tackle that got lost in the wash-up but could prove to be the biggest moment of Wests Tigers' season should they go on to make the top eight.
The Knights appeared certain to have crossed the line through Tim Glasby in the 29th minute until a try-saving tackle from David Nofoaluma jolted the ball free from the Origin forward's grasp.
Wests Tigers levelled the scores five minutes later through Corey Thompson before taking an 18-12 lead into the break.
The 28-26 win was celebrated in style for Robbie Farah's 300th NRL appearance but the play from Nofoaluma will be seen as pivotal if the Tigers can scramble into the top eight.
"The position I was in, usually it's better to knock the ball but I just tried to get under him and hold him up," Nofoaluma told jetwinvip.com.
"In those situations, one thing you practice is looking after each other in terms of if someone else doesn't do something right the next person does whatever it takes. I had to react and luckily it went in our favour.
Farah reflects on 300 game milestone
"I think that was a momentum-changer because we went ahead not long after. We would've been chasing more points.
"The way the season is going teams find a way to win and we just managed to do that tonight."
Wests Tigers coach Michael Maguire put a rocket up his side after last week's loss to the Raiders in Canberra and they responded to lay on five tries in a spirited effort.
"We knew Newcastle would come out quick and probably didn't handle that as well as we'd have liked but the resilience in this group is growing," Maguire said.
"I think there is a lot more in this group. I haven't changed my thoughts with this squad, that's why I challenged and exposed them earlier in the week.
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"If they keep continually finding what they did tonight there's no reason why we can't keep progressing as a group."
It was a night to remember for Farah, who was greeted in the tunnel before the clash by at least 60 of his close friends and family before capping a strong game with a try in the 53rd minute.
"During weeks like this it probably means more to the family than it does me to be honest," Farah said.
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"Without them it wouldn't have meant anything to me. I'm really grateful, there has been some tough times throughout my career and I'm a lucky man.
"If I didn't have the support network here today I wouldn't be standing here. They've pushed me along and when I wanted to quit they kept me going.
"Hopefully they're proud of me tonight."