Sexton steers 'Dogs to within sight of top four after downing Dragons

Toby Sexton continued his late season revival to spearhead Canterbury to a 26-10 defeat of the Dragons that has the Bulldogs within sight of a top four finals berth.

Sexton, who spent the first 11 rounds in NSW Cup before being given a chance at halfback, laid on two first half tries for centre Bronson Xerri as the Bulldogs stormed to a 20-10 halftime lead at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

The visitors only scored one second half try but they produced a second half shut out of the Dragons that all but ensures their first finals appearance since 2016.

Just two points behind the Roosters and Sharks, who are on 32 points, Canterbury face the Dolphins, Warriors, Sea Eagles and Cowboys in the run to the play-offs, with a trip to Auckland being their only game away from home.

Canterbury five-eighth Matt Burton grabbed the opening try in just the fourth minute after intercepting a Ben Hunt pass and racing 80 metres to score. 

A Burton penalty goal extended Canterbury's lead to 8-0 but the Dragons hit back in the 23rd minute after winger Zac Lomax beat Josh Addo-Carr to a grubber kick from Ben Hunt to score.

However, a forward pass from five-eighth Kyle Flanagan to Hunt gave the Bulldogs field position and Bulldogs centre Bronson Xerri swooped on a perfectly weighted grubber kick from halfback Toby Sexton into the Dragons in-goal.

The pair combined again for Xerri to score again in the 30th minute after a bullet-like Sexton pass sent him racing into a gap near the St George Illawarra try line.

Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan got the home side back into the match just before halftime when he sprinted into the clear to score after receiving an inside ball from second-rower Luciano Leilua. 

Former St George Illawarra utility Kurt Mann extended Canterbury's lead to 26-10 in the 70th minute after pirouetting out of the tackle of Blake Lawrie near the Dragons line and crashing over for the only try of the second half.