The Eels jumped to a 6-0 lead through a full-field try to electric winger Semi Radradra and took a 10-6 lead into the break.

But the Cowboys hit back in stunning fashion to end the Eels season who were chasing their first premiership in 31 years.

Moses, who had a solid game, said ill-discipline cost his side dearly.

“We showed patches there when we could just roll straight through their middle but I think we were looking for easy points and you can’t do that in semi-final football,” he told Channel Nine in the moments after full-time.

“We just turned over too much ball and you can’t do that to a team like that and they capitalised on it.

 “They just complete. We were looking to score points and they just hang in there with defence. When they have their chances they take them. They wait for you to stuff up and they did that tonight."

The Cowboys responded with a sterling second stanza through tries to John Asiata (42nd minute), Cohen Hess (52nd-minute) before the best man on ground Michael Morgan sealed it with a solo try in the 72nd-minute.

Morgan, who has shown there will be life after the retirement of Johnathan Thurston following a mid-season injury to the dominant playmaker, put the win down to good old fashioned Queensland ticker.

“If you keep fighting good things eventually happen,” Morgan said.

“It’s a great result. It finished on a bit of sour note with the try but we kept turning up and body language plays a big part.

“Things went against us a bit early but as long as we hang in there we are always a chance.”

The Cowboys sit one win away from their second grand final appearance in three years and face the Roosters on Saturday night in Sydney.

Melbourne host Brisbane on Friday night in the corresponding preliminary final.