A close battle at Stobart Stadium Halton between Widnes Vikings and St Helens ended with heartbreak for Widnes, as the lead changed hands a number of times in a pulsating match that ended 23-24 to the away team.
It took 33 minutes for the first score after a series of interchanges, Iosia Soliola eventually going over to give St Helens the lead.
However, four minutes before the break Patrick Ah Van scored his first of three tries to tie the scores at 6-6 in a low-scoring first half.
The second was a thriller, with nothing to separate the sides, but St Helens got their noses in front with a converted try from Jon Wilkin.
Widnes scored two unconverted tries to edge in front before another try and conversion saw St Helens lead by four.
Ah Van went over for his third try, which again went unconverted to put Widnes ahead on tries but the sides level on points at 18-18 with just over 15 minutes to go.
With eight minutes left Rhys Hanbury put a drop goal between the sticks and Widnes were ahead by one.
The victory looked assured with a final try from Cameron Phelps, but Josh Jones scored a converted try at the death to break home hearts, St Helens winning 23-24.
Matt Domm
