Long strike shatters Wolves

Sean Long fired over a last-gasp drop-goal as St Helens came back from the brink of defeat to extend their winning run to 18 games with a dramatic 17-16 win over Warrington.

Wolves led 16-10 with four minutes remaining and looked set to end Saints' five-month winning streak but a late converted score from Lee Gilmour brought the scores level before Long snatched the points.

St Helens raced into an early 10-0 lead through Kieron Cunningham and Ade Gardner, but Wolves fought back brilliantly either side of half time as Chris Riley bagged a brace and Matt King notched a superb individual try.

However, Saints somehow found a way to keep their magnificent run going in dreadful conditions as Warrington's stubborn defence failed to hang on to what would have been a precious derby win.

Warrington started proceedings and immediately showed their intent by regathering a short kick-off and driving menacingly towards the Saints line.

However, despite their early pressure, the opening score came from the hosts after a superb piece of ingenuity from the in-form Long resulted in a goal line drop out for Warrington.

Warrington reward

The resulting kick-out saw Saints pile forward in numbers allowing Cunningham to pick up the loose ball before barging his way under the posts for his seventh try of the season.

And it didn't take long for the home side to extend their lead as on 15 minutes Gardner crashed over in the corner following neat play from Matthew Gidley to put Saints 10-0 ahead.

With their backs well and truly pressed against the wall, Warrington came out fighting and were rewarded with a converted score of their own courtesy of King.

Wolves kept the ball moving and fed the Australian who showed why he has represented his county at the highest level by beating four men before crashing over in the corner.

With Long beginning to stamp his authority on proceedings with a string of game-line breaking passes, only solid defence and a try-saving tackle from Michael Monaghan prevented the home side from extending their lead before the break.

But, with five minutes of the opening period remaining it was the Wolves fans who were dancing in the stands as they drew level through a fantastic team try which was finished off in the corner by Riley.

Only a missed conversion from Hicks prevented Wolves heading into the break with a lead their bravery and adventure deserved.

Shock lead

Wolves started the second half as they finished the first and would have snatched the lead three minutes into the action had Hicks grounded a defence splitting grubber kick from Monaghan.

With Saints struggling to reassert their dominance Warrington struck with a try of their own just after the hour as Riley scored his second of the night.

The impressive Simon Grix made the break after Wolves had been camped in their own half and Riley provided the support before taking the ball in his stride and sliding under the posts.

Hicks added the extras to give the visitors a shock 16-10 lead.

With 10 minutes remaining Saints crafted a guilt-edge opportunity to slash the deficit but with Francis Meli just required to ground the ball in the corner he knocked the ball forward and the chance was spurned.

As Wolves fans prepared to celebrate a famous victory, Saints struck on the fifth tackle with four minutes remaining as Gilmour bounced off Adrian Morley before grounding the ball.

Long slammed over the conversion and then kept his cool to fire over a 40-metre drop-goal as Knowsley Road erupted into delirium.