The Queensland Reds have all but snuffed out Melbourne's Super Rugby finals hopes with an upset 37-23 win on Friday night.

Scrum dominance and dogged persistence delivered the Reds a hard-earned four-tries-to-two victory at Suncorp Stadium, snapping a run of five consecutive defeats.

"It probably won't mean much to the tournament but it means something to us, to Queensland," coach Brad Thorn said.

"You put so much effort in, it's good to see some sort of result."

Jono Lance iced it for the home side with his 74th minute try, which was put on a platter for him by rookie centre Jordan Petaia.

Lance contributed 20 points all up, including three conversions and three penalties.

The Rebels were within a point for most of the second half but failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage when the Reds had Duncan Paia'aua sin-binned in the 57th minute.

Reece Hodge missed a penalty goal attempt that would have put Melbourne in front shortly afterwards.

The Rebels now look at long odds to reach the finals - they need to beat the Highlanders in Dunedin next weekend and may require other results to go their way as well.

"We're still very much in with a shout. It's been done before. We've just got to get our heads around it and get up for it," coach David Wessels said.

A 26th minute penalty try put the Reds 10-3 ahead, but that lead was quickly evaporated with two tries in two minutes from the Rebels in response.

The first was through Angus Cottrell, who finished off a scintillating left-side move that started with Dane Haylett-Petty catching a Reds kick and went through three other sets of hands.