SAINTS fell to two late Declan Hulme tries to lose their Karalius Cup friendly against Widnes at Langtree Park.

Keiron Cunningham used his first match in charge to give 26 players a run, with a youthful team being on the park for most of the second half.

Although Saints trailed at the break they looked as though they were on course to win when tries from Adam Swift and James Roby gave them a 16-8 lead on the hour mark.

But with eight minutes to play a quick fire brace from Hulme ensured that the visitors took the spoils.

Saints had got off to a shaky start when an error from Matty Dawson allowed Vikings the chance for Paddy Flynn to squeeze in at the corner.

Saints replied when Joe Greenwood crossed after fine work from Roby and Amor.

Patrick Ah Van squeezed in at the corner for Vikings to give the visitors an 8-6 lead.

Saints rang the changes in the second half, with the rest of the 26 man squad getting a game.

And it looked like the sin-binning of Macgraff Leuluai was going to be critical with Saints scoring twice in that spell.

But Vikings stuck at it and were rewarded with the spoils.