Saints secure second spot

Cunningham: Last gasp score

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Keiron Cunningham crossed in the final 20 seconds to help St Helens secure second place in the Super League with a 40-30 win against Castleford.

It means Saints will have a home tie against Warrington in the first week of the play-offs after securing the runners-up spot behind Wigan on points difference.

It was to be the home side's final league match at their Knowlsey Road home of 120 years and an emotionally charged atmosphere brought out the best in the Saints, who opened the scoring after only two minutes.

Francis Meli and Ade Gardner burst down the left flank, with the latter turning the ball back inside for the supporting Jonny Lomax to send Paul Wellens over after just two minutes.

And they doubled their advantage six minutes later when when James Graham hit a flat Cunningham pass to twist his way over. Jamie Foster goaled both tries to put Saints in the driving seat.

Castleford finally gained a foothold when Ryan McGoldrick went over from close range, and they were able to resist Saints attacking force until being hit with a sucker punch just before the interval.

Although Michael Shenton was able to chase down a Lomax breakaway, Saints had the bit between their teeth and Kyle Eastmond's grubber on the stroke of half-time was touched down by Chris Flannery, Foster converting to give Saints a flattering 18-4 lead at the break.

Castleford, however, had plenty to play for and they grabbed the first score five minutes after the restart after fine play from the impressive Rangi Chase opened the Saints defence up to send Adam Milner over. Westerman's goal cut the deficit to eight points.

However, the hosts upped their game with the introduction of Sia Soliola, playing his first game since seriously damaging his knee ligaments in February.

Saints pressed the Castleford line, with Tony Puletua, Wilkin and Lomax taking play to the line.

Meli used a clever dummy and drive from acting half-back to bulldoze over.

Moments later Puletua crashed over from close range, squeezing the ball over the line despite plenty of attention.

Foster converted both to give Saints a 30-10 lead, but no sooner had they settled into a comfort zone the Tigers came roaring back.

Dean Widders gathered his own kick to touch down on the right after Saints were unable to clear the ball. Westerman missed the conversion attempt from wide out.

But Castleford kept at it and hit Saints with three late tries with Shenton, Ryan Hudson and Widders racing in.

But Matt Gidley struck two minutes from time and Cunningham wrote the fairytale ending by rumbling through a heap of bodies to touch down under the sticks to secure second place.