The high-flying Bulldogs were missing more than half their team that lost 19-12 to Manly last week, but still had enough quality to snatch a thrilling win.

Young gun Ben Barba scored the try which reclaimed the lead with just a minute left on the clock to keep the Bulldogs near the top of the table and end any hope the Warriors had of making the top eight.

Without stars Brett Kimmorley, Michael Ennis and Josh Morris through State of Origin duty, Ben Hannant and Jamal Idris due to injury and Greg Eastwood and Bryson Goodwin because of suspension it was always going to be a major test for the Bulldogs squad.

And Moore had no doubt it augured well for its finals prospects.

''It was a tremendous performance on the back of the week we've had,'' Moore said.

''There were eight blokes from last week that didn't play.

''It just shows the club has come a long way this year with regard to the style of football we're playing.

''I know some people may have criticised our depth on the back of last year, but I think we put that to bed today with Michael Sullivan, Tim Winitana, Matt Utai and those sorts of blokes coming in, they're first graders when they get a shot, what they've got to do is do it consistently.

''But I was really happy for them today and they did a great job for the club.''

If the Bulldogs had lost, Moore would have had a ready-made excuse with so many players out but he said he always believed his team could get the win.

The struggling Warriors have won just five games and have now gone 10 games in a row without scoring more than 14 points.

Coach Ivan Cleary said the match was a reflection of their 2009 campaign.

''Not being able to convert points, making pretty poor errors when we had them under pressure and we couldn't defend those errors tonight, particularly when it really counted at the back end of the game,'' Cleary said.