The Panthers have made it two wins in a row but they were forced to survive a late scare in their 15-12 victory over the Sea Eagles at home in Penrith.

Key points: It is the first time the Panthers have won consecutive matches in what has been a disappointing 2019 season

It is the first time the Panthers have won consecutive matches in what has been a disappointing 2019 season Liam Martin was a late inclusion for the Panthers but scored a try and set up another in the victory

Liam Martin was a late inclusion for the Panthers but scored a try and set up another in the victory The Sea Eagles have now lost three of their past four matches

Playing just the sixth match of his first grade career, rookie Liam Martin set up the Panthers' first try and then scored the second in an eye-catching effort.

The 22-year-old was a last-minute inclusion against the Sea Eagles after second rower Viliame Kikau was ruled out before kick-off due to an illness.

And Martin did not disappoint, spearheading Penrith to an unlikely 15-0 lead with 16 minutes to go before the Sea Eagles roared back.

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Another rookie, five-eighth Cade Cust, put Manase Fainu over and then scored one himself in the space of six minutes to set up a grandstand finish at Panthers Stadium.

But Penrith just held on to record back-to-back victories for the first time this season, and temporarily move to 14th spot on the ladder.

Manly drops to seventh after losing for the third time in four matches.

Kikau's withdrawal added to a contest that was already missing State of Origin trio Jake Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary.

Penrith pair Dean Whare, Waqa Blake and Manly duo Tom Trbojevic and Moses Suli were also missing through injury.

The lack of star power resulted in just 7,981 turning up on a bitterly cold night, giving Penrith its lowest attendance in four years.

The Panthers faithful, however, were rewarded with the competition points and a strong performance by Temora product Martin, who entertained the faithful with a series of jolting hits from the left edge.

He was well supported by Brian To'o, who ran 182 metres and produced three offloads.

It was a willing contest early, but broke open when Martin surged through a hole in the 22nd minute to set up Dylan Edwards.

James Maloney's field goal on the half-time siren gave the hosts a 9-0 lead at the break.

Tempers flared when Jack Gosiewski clipped To'o high in the 52nd minute, drawing a slap on the back of the head from Jarome Luai.

Both players were sin-binned for escalating a minor brawl.

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AAP/ABC