After a string of close losses this season, the Reds were at least able to celebrate being on the right side of a tight result, defending 14 phases in the final minutes to see out the Rebels’ last-gasp efforts.

“We’re not getting lost in the ladder ... but we’ve put a bit of a gap on the others now,” Kiss said.

“Keep winning and the pressure comes on other people and there’s some big games for everyone.”

Blazing tries to Jock Campbell and Tim Ryan – his sixth in three starts – as well as a rolling maul try to McReight had powered the Reds to the lead after they’d trailed 15-5 at the break.

Those 21 points came in the 10 minutes Lachie Anderson was on the sideline, the Rebels winger yellow-carded for offside after the Reds had amped up the pressure to begin the second half.

The Rebels, one spot back in sixth, earned a bonus point that could be crucial in the finals picture ahead of a tough run home against the Chiefs, Brumbies and Drua.

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They lost captain Rob Leota (corked shoulder) and Alex Mafi (calf) to injuries before kick-off and prop Taniel Tupou (concussion) joined them inside 10 minutes.

Yet they dominated all facets in the first half, as they were strong in contact and more disciplined in defence and at the breakdown.

The Queenslanders scored first when Matt Faessler finished a driving maul but the Rebels’ one-two punch – tries to Andrew Kellaway and Sam Talakai – made it 15-5 at the break.

The Reds briefly hit top gear to surge clear before Anderson returned and a Maciu Nabolakasi try made it a four-point game in the final 10 minutes.

Rebels coach Kevin Foote said Leota should be fine to play next week, while he confirmed Tupou’s concussion would lead to Pone Fa’amausili’s return after he had been loaned to the Waratahs this week.

“In the change room I was just rattling off moments, it was just really awesome,” he said.

“We’ve got a saying, ‘We’ll just keep going, whatever comes, comes’.

“The Chiefs next week; I actually can’t wait.”