The Warriors' NRL top-eight hopes are officially on life support after falling 24-10 to Penrith on Saturday night.
The loss extends the Warriors' winless streak to five and leaves them two points behind eighth-placed Canterbury, who meet Gold Coast on Sunday.
Penrith, who led 20-10 at halftime, snapped their own five-game losing streak that temporarily lifted them out of wooden spoon contention with three regular-season games left.
Two long-range efforts either side of halftime set up the Panthers win, including a David Simmons special in the 49th minute.
A Bryce Cartwright offload deep in his own territory sent Tyrone Peachey into the backfield, before the veteran winger expertly finished off a James Segeyaro grubber one play later.
Just before the break it was Will Smith who turned defence into attack with a 50-metre run and Peachey cut through not long after to score.
Lewis Brown's wicked left-foot step opened the scoring for the home side in the ninth minute before rookie prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard doubled the advantage with his first try of the year five minutes later.
Jamie Soward kicked his team out to a 14-0 lead but the Warriors were then able to turn momentum around with two tries in just four minutes.
First Sam Tomkins crossed for his first try of the season when he collected a 31st-minute Charlie Gubb offload from the top shelf.
Then Jonathan Wright helped get the visitors within a try when he toed a Tomkins grubber ahead for Konrad Hurrell.
Campbell-Gillard was put on report for a high shot on Tuimoala Lolohea midway through the first half.
