The Force will find themselves in the top four after week six of the competition following an even tussle in which they pulled clear via the boot over the closing stages.

It was the fifth close loss in five games for the unfortunate Highlanders, who led 28-20 with 18 minutes to go but couldn't maintain the pressure.

It was the first time this season they haven't secured a bonus point, meaning they will drop to last place.

Both teams scored three tries each but the Force, who led 17-13 at halftime, benefited from superior goalkicking, including five penalty goals.

The winners didn't play as well as in last weekend's 27-17 upset of the Blues but showed good composure to beat opponents who were desperate for a first win.

Coming off a bye, the Highlanders fell away in the last 10 minutes, giving away silly penalties which allowed the Force to snatch victory through three penalties.

Force first five-eighth Matt Giteau and his opposite Daniel Bowden traded penalties to open the scoring before Highlanders second five-eighth Aaron Bancroft celebrated his first game of the season with a fine 40m try, stepping through a gaping hole.

Lock Tom Hockings and No 8 Richard Brown struck back with relatively soft tries for the Force in the space of five minutes midway through the first spell. They were set up by respective breaks from halfback James Stannard and centre Ryan Cross.

The Highlanders then rattled off the next 15 points, including a Bowden penalty just before halftime.

They enjoyed their best spell after the break and were rewarded with tries to wingers Paul Williams and Fetu'u Vainikolo before 50 minutes clicked over.

Williams' try came via some excellent passing interchanges while Vainikolo continued his fine debut season with a 60m effort that underlined his speed and footwork.

Bowden extended the lead to eight points with a penalty after 62min but it was to be their last score.

The turning point was an intercept and 40 streak to the tryline from the fast-thinking Cross.

Giteau's conversion took them to within one point and his penalty soon afterwards gave them the lead and him six from six shots at goal for 15 points.

Fullback Cameron Shepherd inherited the kicking duties and landed two penalties of his own in the final 8min.

The Force, with four wins from six matches, can now look forward to their next five games in Australia.

The Highlanders travel to Hamilton to face the Chiefs next weekend.

Giteau was relieved his team emerged on top in a game where they didn't reach their own internal standards.

"I think we made it pretty tough for ourselves," he told Sky Sport.

"They've just been an unlucky side throughout the whole season and it was a tough game. We didn't play too well but we were happy to get the win."

Giteau was concerned at a continuation of the Force's inability to protect a lead.

"That's something we have to work on, we score some points and then we let other sides straight back into it.

"(But) We're building momentum, we've got a lot of home games now so we're really happy."

Highlanders captain Craig Newby cut a picture of frustration.

"It is just disappointing that we couldn't hold them out at the end there -- and intercept try and then a penalty, they finished the game well. I'm a gutted really," he said.

"There's no lack of belief. We've trained well and we know we've got a good side here.

"Sometimes at this level it's just pretty hard to win."

Result of the Super 14 rugby match at the Queenstown Event Centre Oval here today:

Western Force 36 (Tom Hockings, Richard Brown, Ryan Cross tries; Matt Giteau 3 pen, 3 con, Cameron Shepherd 2 pen) Highlanders 28 (Aaron Bancroft, Paul Williams, Fetu'u Vainikolo tries; Daniel Bowden 3 pen, 2 con). Halftime: Force 17-13.

Highlanders: Highlanders: James Wilson, Paul Williams, Niva Ta'auso, Aaron Bancroft, Fetu'u Vainikolo, Daniel Bowden, Jimmy Cowan, Steven Setephano, Tim Boys, Craig Newby (captain), Tom Donnelly, Hoani MacDonald, Chris King, Jason Macdonald, Jamie Mackintosh. Reserves: David Hall, Keith Cameron, Hayden Triggs, Adam Thomson, Toby Morland, Mike Delany, Brett Mather.

Force: Cameron Shepherd, Scott Staniforth, Ryan Cross, Lachlan MacKay, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, James Stannard, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Tamaiti Horua, Nathan Sharpe (captain), Tom Hockings, AJ Whalley, Tai McIsaac, Pekahou Cowan. Reserves: Luke Holmes, Troy Takiari, Sam Wykes, Scott Fava, Matt Hodgson, Scott Daruda, Nick Cummins.