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Sean Long’s stunning drop goal sealed an absolute classic between Saints and Warrington at the GPW Recruitment Stadium.

Played in atrocious conditions, a Chris Riley double looked to have given Warrington their first win at Saints since 1994.

But up stepped Lee Gilmour with four minutes to go bring the scores level before Long dropped Saints ahead.

Saints had raced into a 10-0 lead with some scintillating play from Cunningham and Gardner before continuing to dominate for the opening 25 minutes.

But despite consistently knocking on the door, Warrington drew level though King and Chris Riley before the latter put them further ahead.

Saints then battled up the field with seconds remaining and Long did the rest to seal a 17-16 victory.

Pre-match, Jason Cayless returned to the starting line up after being on the bench for the past few games and James Roby started at loose forward.

Lee Gilmour moved to the second row and Chris Flannery began at centre. There was also a welcome back for Nick Fozzard who made his first appearance since damaging knee ligaments at Bradford back in February.

Sean Long also returned from mumps.

Warrington made a couple of changes – Lee Mitchell coming in for the injured Louis Anderson and Matty Blythe took Ben Harrison’s place on the bench – as the Wolves sought their first win in 14 years.

Warrington were straight into the Saints when a short kick off found its way back into their possession. But despite five strong drives, Monaghan knocked on two metres from the line.

On five minutes, Sean Long won a drop out after a cheeky chip forward – the scrum half on top form in the opening stages with his place kicking.

And from there, five tackles later, Keiron Cunningham drove his way under the sticks. Long converting.

Saints clearly were having the better of it and that was confirmed when Gardner latched on to the end of a wonderful move to put his men further ahead.

Gardner started the move and kept it alive before Gilmour and Roby sucked in the defence to set the winger free. He cut inside from two yards out and went through Penny. Long just wide with the extras.

But Warrington hit back when Matt King got on the outside of his markers and rolled over in the corner. Hicks landing the conversion off the touchline.

On 25 minutes, Saints won a penalty when Roby was hit high – a number of tackles which were starting to travel above the shoulder. Camped on the Warrington line, the ball went to ground and the chance was lost.

Nick Fozzard returned to the fold five minutes later, hammering in on the tackle and being penalised for lying on!

From there, Warrington had two sets on Saints' line – finished with a nice slide through kick from Monaghan – forcing a drop out. Chris Hicks then combined with Chris Riley for the latter to go over in the corner. Hicks wide with the extras.

Saints had dominated most of the half, but with just a couple of chances, Warrington had pulled level.

And Warrington closed out the half on the attack when another kick was knocked dead for a drop out.

Half Time: Saints 10 Warrington 10

Warrington had a glorious chance to go ahead in the first minute of the second half when a kick through was dropped over the line by Hicks.

Bracek was then penalised for a late and high hit on Fozzard – the Wolf finding himself very lucky not to be off the pitch for the shot.

Long then won a repeat set with a sliding kick into the Wolves’ in-goal area.

Both sides were making 60 or 70 metres on every set and it was pushing scrambling defence to the limits.

On 50 minutes, Long tried another sliding kick, but it went straight through to Monaghan.

The Warrington scrum half then popped up with a 40:20 to totally relieve the pressure. But as the ball went through the line, Penny couldn’t take it in with the line begging.

Saints needed to pop up with the next score and very nearly did when a loose ball was kicked ahead by Pryce. It was a foot race between Pryce, Eastmond and Warrington’s Chris Riley, which the latter just won.

Then Warrington hit Saints with a flyer. Grix got the ball away inside and seconds later Riley was flying in under the sticks. Hicks with the conversion

That score put Warrington six up with less than 18 minutes remaining.

Longy then tried another slide rule pass into the corner – catching Warrington totally unaware – but Meli just couldn’t take and go over.

With six to go Eastmond broke clear and flew down the field – but his pass ended up in the hands of Riley and the chance was gone.

Eastmond was then unlucky as he chipped over Hicks..

Then, with four minutes to go, Lee Gilmour popped up under the sticks to draw the game level with Longy’s conversion

And with the seconds counting down, five wonderful drives and a Sean Long drop goal gave the Saints an unlikely win.

Daniel Anderson said: “We created a lot of chances and to be honest I thought we had done enough to salvage a point. I didn’t think we would get the two though.

“It was a very classy final seven minutes after 73 minutes of real scrappy play. The play to set up the field goal was superb in those conditions.”

Warrington coach James Lowes said he was proud of his team and always thought they would get something out of the game.

“It was a fast and good game in the conditions and neither side held back. Both took it to each other. But you can’t gave Saints half a sniff.”

Match Summary

Saints:

Tries: Cunningham, Gardner, Gilmour

Goals: Long (2 from 3)

Drop: Long

Warrington:

Tries: King, Riley (2)

Goals: Hicks (2 from 3)

Penalties:

Saints: 9

Warrington: 5

HT (Sts First): 10-10

FT (Sts First): 17-16

REF: Richard Silverwood

ATT: 10,258

Teams:

Saints:

1. Paul Wellens; 2. Ade Gardner, 3. Matt Gidley, 16. Chris Flannery, 5. Francis Meli; 6. Leon Pryce, 7. Sean Long; 10. Jason Cayless, 9. Keiron Cunningham, 17. James Graham, , 11. Lee Gilmour, 12. Jon Wilkin, 14. James Roby.

Subs: 8. Nick Fozzard, 18. Bryn Hargreaves, 21. Paul Clough, 24. Kyle Eastmond.

Warrington:

2. Chris Hicks; 20. Chris Riley, 3. Martin Gleeson, 4. Matt King, 5. Kevin Penny; 6. Lee Briers, 7. Michael Monaghan; 8. Adrian Morley, 9. Jon Clarke, 10. Paul Rauhihi, 24. Lee Mitchell, 12. Ben Westwood, 19. Simon Grix.

Subs: 15. Rob Parker, 21. Andy Bracek, 23. Michael Cooper, 26. Matty Blythe.