SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook was pleased with the way is side fought back to stretch their unbeaten run and keep pushing ahead at the Super League summit.

He also explained the reason why he took Ben Barba off in the 60th minute.

Having led 20-6 at the break, saints were hit by four Wakefield tries and were staring down the barrel of defeat until a Regan Grace try put them back in the game.

Holbrook said: “I am really happy to win that game.

“To give Wakefield that much ball at the start of the second half, a lot of other sides could have said it wasn’t our night.

“But we hung on in there and came through the other side with the win so I am happy.

“In the first half I thought we were in complete control – we were unlucky with a few other chances and could have been 30-0 up.

“Full credit to Wakey, they did something about it and came after us in the second half.

“Benny Barba copped a knock just before half time when he made that long break and in hindsight I should have taken him off then because he wasn’t right but I wanted to see how he goes.

“I probably kept him on a bit too long.

“He has been struggling with that knee for a few weeks, so we will have to see how he goes next week.

"We then put Jonny back there, got Theo Fages on and got control of the game again, which was really pleasing.

“Full credit to Wakefield, we did some uncharacteristic things to put ourselves under pressure and didn’t get a lot of ball or many calls but that is part of the game.

“When you lead 20-6, and then trail you can let it go but our boys dug in there.

“It was fantastic to see us come home and win that.”

He reserved special praise for his returning England quintet.

Holbrook said: “We could have given the England players a week off when you consider the high altitude and time difference but they wanted to play and were all fantastic.

“In particular Robes was fantastic – nothing fazes him, I wanted to give him a rest tonight and couldn’t. He would play tomorrow as well if you asked him to, as was Jonny too.”