SAINTS centre Josh Jones’ smash and grab raid snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a gripping derby clash at a raucous Langtree Park.

It looked as though Saints were going to go down to a cruel loss – with a harsh penalty being the only difference between the sides going into the last three minutes.

But after hanging in there, defending repeat set after repeat set, Saints looked as though their chance to snatch it had gone when Adam Swift’s pass to Adam Quinlan was adjudged forward.

Heads did not drop, and after Tommy Makinson had foiled Oliver Gildart on the line, Saints went again and with their last raid of the game Jon Wilkin hoisted the ball high for Jones to pluck from the air and power over.

It had been a cracking match, with Wigan opening the scoring with Joel Tomkins crossing for the opener.

Warriors monopolised the ball, forcing repeat set after repeat set through goal line drop outs, but Saints’ defence held firm.

And then they went up to the other end where Luke Walsh dashed to the line after a series of short passes to level it.

A couple of flare-ups on the stroke of half time after Tony Clubb had gone high on Atelea Vea added crackle to the game that did not need any extras.

The interval calmed things down, but Wigan, who continued to win a series of goal line drop outs, took the lead with a Matty Bowen penalty – harshly given for interference after Lee Mossop had lost the ball.

Wigan stretched that lead with a superb solo try from young Wigan stand off George Williams.

But back Saints came and after Walsh had disposed Bowen after he taken the Wilkin high ball, Saints had a rare good position on the Warriors line.

And they used it well with Swift taking Walsh’s lofted passes to go in and then out to lose his markers in the tight corner before plonking the ball down.

Walsh calmly stroked the ball between the aitches to cut the deficit to 14-12.

Saints still had plenty to do, with Matty Smith kicking smartly for the Warriors to keep them under the cosh with drop outs.

It seemed that Keiron Cunningham’s men could not buy a decent go on the ball, but they defended stoutly, as if their title defended upon it – in stark contrast to last week’s tit-for-tat try fest.

Six minutes from time Swift skinned the Wigan defednce on the left before tossing the ball back inside to unleash Quinlan with a clear line.

Alas the ref ruled forward, and as marginal as it was, far worse ones have gone unpunished for years.

Heads did not drop, and although Wigan kicked smartly to pin Saints back and eat up the minutes they got a lucky break from a penalty when Quinlan was carted back over his line after dropping on the ball.

Up the field Saints marched and on the last, Wilkin got his rosary beads out and launched an Hail Mary ball – albeit a precise one.

Although it should have been the full backs ball Jones had other ideas and seized it from the air before striding over in front of a West Stand that went ballistic, with the chairman in the south stand following suit.

The referral upstairs only delayed the inevitable outpouring of delight.

Walsh’s goal and then the miscuing of the restart kick ensured that the points and bragging right went to Saints.

The two teams may yet meet again in two or three week’s time – but next time those stakes will be even higher.

Light the fuse and stand well back.

Saints: 37. Adam Quinlan; 2. Tommy Makinson, 17. Mark Percival, 4. Josh Jones, 5. Adam Swift; 3. Jordan Turner, 7. Luke Walsh; 10. Kyle Amor, 9. James Roby, 25. Andre Savelio, 13. Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 21. Joe Greenwood, 12. Jon Wilkin.

Subs: 8. Mose Masoe, 11. Atelea Vea, 15. Mark Flanagan, 19. Greg Richards.

Warriors: 1. Matty Bowen; 2. Josh Charnley, 14. John Bateman, 34. Oliver Gildart, 5. Joe Burgess; 6. George Williams, 7. Matty Smith; 8. Dominic Crosby, 9. Michael McIlorum, 10. Ben Flower, 11. Joel Tomkins, 25. Larne Patrick, 13. Sean O'Loughlin.

Subs: 3. Anthony Gelling, 16. Sam Powell, 17. Tony Clubb, 23. Lee Mossop.