With the Brumbies leading by 11 points with five minutes remaining, they looked in the box seat to claim a fourth consecutive win and continue their perfect start to the season.
But Les Kiss's Reds refused to give up, with Filipo Daugunu crossing in the 78th minute before Gordon secured the win with a post-siren diving try at a soggy GIO Stadium on Saturday.
Whether Gordon's try should have counted was contentious after Daugunu looked to have knocked the ball on from the kick off after his try.
Still, the referees didn't call it, and the decision allowed the Wallabies playmaker to cap off a stunning return to the competition as he only played his first Super Rugby game since 2024 last Friday after a stint with Gold Coast in the NRL.
Having lost their last 11 from 12 matches in Canberra, Queensland struggled to find a solution to the Brumbies' second-half rigid defence, coughing up 18 turnovers to the home side's 14.
But the Reds found a new gear and emerged victorious.
"We took a while to respond. The emotion was high in the coaching box, that's for sure," Kiss said.
"I've really enjoyed the way that Carter's been very generous in terms of how he sees the game ... It's helped the younger guys.
"That's what's given him a good platform to come back into rugby."
The Reds will have to sweat on the fitness of outside back Lachie Anderson, though, after he was taken to the hospital in another blow to the already battered side.
Queensland's victory overshadowed athletic backrower Charlie Cale's prolific performance for the Brumbies as he continued to make his case for a Wallabies return, scoring two tries to bring his season tally to seven in four games.
Without Rob Valetini (rest), Corey Toole (leg tightness), and Ollie Sapsford (hamstring), the Brumbies faced an uphill battle.
But two missed conversions by Ryan Lonergan would prove the difference.
The loss came as prop James Slipper featured in his 202nd game, equalling the most matches played in the competition, set by former All Black prop Wyatt Crockett with the Crusaders.
"It's tough. We got the better end of the stick last week against the Blues in a very similar situation," Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said.
"There's nothing much we can do about it now. There was certainly some good stuff in the game and some good performances."
After lightning delayed the start of the clash for more than an hour, it was a frenetic opening 20 minutes as Lachie Shaw and Cale planted the ball over the line.
Queensland found their groove first through Anderson and then Josh Flook in the 27th minute after some silky skills down the left flank.
The Brumbies scored the next three five-pointers through Cale, Andy Muirhead and Luke Reimer.
But that was before Daugunu and Gordon stormed over the line to win.
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