Down 32-6, the Tigers scored three tries within five minutes in the second half and got to within four points when fullback Jahream Bula crossed with five minutes left on the clock.
Adam Doueihi missed a tough conversion, which would have allowed them to level with a two-point field goal.
It left the visitors unable to complete one of the NRL's greatest fightbacks, just falling short in their Saturday night clash.
The Tigers were left to rue ill-discipline in the first half with the Cowboys scoring four tries while they were down a man.
Turning out for their first match since the departure of polarising playmaker Lachlan Galvin to Canterbury, they did themselves no favours with both Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi sin-binned.
Skipper Luai had a sideline stint from the 11th minute for slowing down the ruck after repeated team infringements as the Cowboys attacked the line.
While the star halfback was off, John Bateman, who had an acrimonious split with Wests Tigers, scored the opening try.
Centre Jaxon Purdue also crossed in the 16th minute.
The Cowboys then took advantage of centre Doueihi making a temporary exit for a professional foul, with Scott Drinkwater scoring for an 18-6 halftime lead.
Two minutes into the second half, skilful Origin second-rower Jeremiah Nanai took a high kick and than raced to score his team's fourth try.
Despite falling short Wests Tigers coach Benji Marshall was proud of his team's fightback.
"I was really proud of the effort for the boys to fight back into the contest and give ourselves a chance there," he said.
"We've just got to address some of the things that got us into that position."
Marshall believed the sin-bins were "pretty harsh" while also saying Nanai's try shouldn't have been over-ruled by the bunker.
The Cowboys' other Queensland Origin stars, Tom Dearden and Reuben Cotter, also stood up.
Dearden added a 57th-minute try to his two try assists for a 32-6 lead.
The tide then turned for the Tigers in the 62nd minute when centre Starford To'a crossed for his second, after a first-half try.
That was quickly backed up by five-eighth Heath Mason, and then Charlie Staines three minutes later, for a 32-24 scoreline to put the Cowboys crowd on edge.
Bula had them on their feet with his late four-pointer but the home side managed to hang on for the win to move to sixth place on the competition ladder.
It's a third straight loss for the Tigers, who sit 13th.
North Queensland coach Todd Payten said his team failed to deal with the momentum shift and an "unconventional" opponent.
"I'm just happy and relieved that we held on," he said.
He praised his Origin contingent for playing big minutes.
"It's a super effort from all the Origin players to back up after a short turnaround in a modern game that's so quick and fast and physical.
"Really appreciative of what they were able to do for the team today - they put the club first and put how they're feeling aside and got out there."
9°C