Saints snatch stunning play-off victory at Leeds

Betfred Super League play-off eliminator

Leeds Rhinos (12) 14

Tries: Hankinson, McDonnell. Goals: Connor 3

St Helens (6) 16

Tries: Lomax, Bennison, Wright. Goals: Percival, Bennison.

Shane Wright scored with the final play of the game as St Helens snatched a sensational come-from-behind Super League play-off eliminator victory against Leeds Rhinos at a stunned Headingley.

It was not until after the final hooter sounded that Saints led, with the ball crossing from left to right and back again for Wright to finish as his side kept their hopes alive on the final tackle of the match.

It was a dramatic victory sealed at the end of an energy-sapping half that the visitors played without forward Matty Lees, who left midway through the game after his wife went into labour.

A superb James McDonnell try had sent Leeds into the break 12-6 up, after Jonny Lomax's fortuitously created score for Saints had cancelled out Chris Hankinson's opener for the hosts.

Leeds were wasteful in their relentless pursuit of more tries after the break, with a Jake Connor penalty all they had to show for long periods of dominance.

It did not prove to be enough, as Jon Bennison snatched a late touchdown to set up the stunning late turnaround which Wright completed at the end of the season's most frantic and decisive moment so far.

More to follow.

Leeds: Miller, Hall, Newman, Handley, Hankinson, Croft, Connor, Oledzki, O'Connor, Palasia, McDonnell, Gannon, Watkins.

Interchanges: Bentley, Lisone, Jenkins, Holroyd.

St Helens: Sailor, Bennison, Robertson, Percival, Cross, Welsby, Lomax, Walmsley, Clark, Lees, Sironen, Whitby, Knowles.

Interchanges: Mbye, Bell, Delaney, Wright.

Referee: Jack Smith.