Saints steal it at the death

St Helens needed a last-gasp try to clinch a thrilling 24-23 victory over brave Widnes at the Stobart Stadium.

Lee Gaskell held his nerve to convert Josh Jones' 79th-minute score and clinch Saints' five straight win, a result that moves them up to third in the table.

Thanks to a hat-trick of tries from Patrick Ah Van, the Vikings looked set to clinch a famous victory when they led by five points going into the closing stages.

Yet for all their efforts they were to be pipped at the post, denying them the chance to avenge a 62-0 hammering at Langtree Park in the reverse fixture.

Crucial tackle

Widnes, who fielded the same side that thrashed Castleford 40-10 to climb off the foot of the table, were forced on the defensive from the start and it needed a crucial tackle by skipper Jon Clarke to stop Paul Wellens crossing.

Saints missed another chance with a forward pass from Anthony Laffranchi after a darting burst from dummy half by hooker James Roby. They did actually think they'd broken the deadlock when Hohaia danced through but referee Robert Hicks ruled the Kiwi failed to ground the ball correctly.

But it was Hohaia's teasing kick which was fumbled by Rhys Hanbury which gifted sub Sol Soliola a try after 33 minutes to finally break the deadlock, Gaskell tagging on the conversion.

Hanbury made amends two minutes later when his high kick bounced awkwardly for Tom Makinson and Ah Van pounced to race over in the corner, the touchline conversion sending the teams into half-time tied at 6-6.

Saints regained the lead almost straight from the restart when Widnes conceded a penalty on the sixth tackle and Jon Wilkin forced his way over from Roby's pass.

Widnes hit back with Hanbury's perfectly-timed pass sending Chris Dean racing over against his old club, though the former failed to add the extras.

Dean then turned from scorer to creator, putting Ah Van over for his second try four minutes later and, this time, Hanbury's conversion attempt was definitely wide to leave the Vikings ahead 14-12.

Saints regained the advantage when Castleford-bound Michael Shenton shrugged off Ah Van to cross after 58 minutes.

Injury blow

However, Ah Van made amends by completing his treble after intercepting Dixon's pass and racing 80 metres to cross after 63 minutes, getting Widnes back on level terms. The only disappointment for the try-scorer was that he suffered a shoulder injury in the process of putting the ball down, forcing him off the field.

In a thrilling finale, Wilkin was denied by some outstanding defence after a missed drop goal attempt by Hohaia, who watched on as Hanbury succeeded at the other end with a one-pointer eight minutes from time.

The drama continued with Clarke and Dean combining for Cameron Phelps to squeeze over in the corner but crucially Stefan Marsh missed the goal.

It meant Saints were still alive and after Wellens put Jones over in the corner, Gaskell stepped up to slot over the match-winning kick from a tight angle.