Canberra coach Ricky Stuart has bristled at suggestions his Raiders side threw their NRL game against Penrith away.

The Raiders seemed to have turned a corner in close games when they beat Manly by a point two weeks ago.

But Stuart's side lost their 12th game by six points or less since the start of 2017 when Nathan Cleary's field goal sunk them with a minute to go on Friday.

The Raiders led by 10 points with 17 minutes to go at GIO Stadium against the ladder-leaders.

After losing their first four games of the seasons, Canberra had been making a charge towards the top eight but the latest result leaves them with a 5-8 record.

Stuart praised the effort of his team despite some costly errors letting the Panthers back in the contest.

The Raiders were hit by injuries to Joseph Leilua in the opening stages and winger Jordan Rapana, who had produced a lively performance, in the second half.

"That was one of the best performances of the year against a team who's meant to be the best," Stuart said.

"If I walk off unhappy with that, I shouldn't be coaching.

"I'm not looking at us throwing the game away.

"They're (Penrith) leading the comp and no team had scored a try against them in the last two weeks."

After five penalties were given in the first 10 minutes of the match - the same number as the entire of Wednesday's State of Origin opener - Stuart was asked about the performance of the referees.

"If I tell you what I think I'll get fined more than any other coach because that's what happens and it'd be unfair on the referees because it's not their fault," he said.