New Zealand were looking to rebound from last round's record 66-8 thrashing by the Sydney Roosters, the biggest loss in the competition's history.
But on Sunday at Go Media Stadium in Auckland, the Warriors' woes continued as the Dragons produced a courageous defensive effort, despite two players being sin-binned, to lift themselves off the foot of the ladder.
Centre Tahlia O'Brien was the hero with a double, including a try on the stroke of full-time, to keep their seventh-placed opponents outside the top six.
The loss for the Warriors (eight points, -28) means they must win their last two games and hope sixth-placed Newcastle (eight points, +70) lose to secure a finals berth.
Dragons winger Jayme Millard was binned in the second minute, but the home team didn't score until she returned, when centre Stacey Waaka pounced on a booming kick from halfback Patricia Maliepo.
The visitors scored the next two four-pointers, but the Warriors reclaimed the lead when winger Lavinia Tauhalaliku crossed either side of halftime.
From there, the teams traded time-outs, with New Zealand forward Ivana Lauitiiti and Dragons fullback Teagan Berry both binned.
The Dragons had the last say, when O'Brien held on to an unconventional pass from Millard and scurried over in the 69th minute to help the visitors end their dismal six-game losing run.
Elsewhere, Ali Brigginshaw inspired Brisbane to get their season back on track as the defending premiers claimed a rousing 44-10 victory over Parramatta.
Brigginshaw was banned for three weeks for a tackle on Canterbury's Tayla Preston in Magic Round, but the inspirational five-eighth returned in style at CommBank Stadium on Sunday with one try assist, two line-break assists and 28 tackles.
The 36-year-old's presence rejuvenated the Broncos, who were on a three-game losing streak and at risk of dropping out of the top six.
It wasn't just Brigginshaw who shone, with star fullback Tamika Upton strengthening her grip on another Dally M gong (two tries, two try assists), while winger Kerri Johnson grabbed a hat-trick of tries.
Brisbane started hot, scoring six unanswered four-pointers to lead 34-0 at halftime.
In Sunday's other match, Wests Tigers sealed their maiden finals berth by crushing Canterbury by 30 points, 44-14, scoring eight tries to two.
It was the Tigers' largest NRLW win, eclipsing their 28-point victory over Parramatta in their debut match in 2023.
Salma Nour, Faythe Manera and Lily Rogan scored doubles, while Raecene McGregor landed six of eight conversion attempts.
Wests Tigers (7-2) moved to outright third on the ladder with two rounds to play, while the Bulldogs (3-6) sit eighth.
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