North Queensland captain Matt Scott revealed Penrith forward Trent Merrin had admitted taking a dive to receive a penalty in the dying stages of Saturday night's match at Pepper Stadium as the Panthers unsuccessfully battled to avoid another heartbreaking loss.

The Cowboys eventually triumphed 23-18 after a 74th minute field goal by off-contract former Penrith star Lachlan Coote and a late try but before then Scott was placed on report for a crusher tackle on Merrin that the NSW Origin lock later told him he had "milked".

Scott was charged with a similar offence earlier in the year but escaped suspension at the judiciary and the Test prop said the tackle on Merrin was no different.

"Trent said to me at the end of the game that he milked it so I am hoping [the match review committee] take that into account," Scott said. "Jason Taumalolo was put in the same position and he got up and played the ball and it wasn't looked at but if the opposition wants two points or they want a penalty they stay down and it gets looked at..