SAINTS coach Keiron Cunningham admitted that the team had not been at its best for the Challenge Cup quarter final clash against Widnes, but was pleased with the way they came home in the final 30 minutes.

They rallied from a 20-18 deficit to make it through to the Challenge Cup semi final for the first time since 2011.

Cunningham said: "We had to dig deep and it wasn't the greatest performance.

"Sometimes you have to win ugly and that is what we did.

"Widnes did a great job on us and I thought they played the referee better than we did. I have watched all the games this weekend and I thought the referees did a great job.

"Widnes played the referee better than we did and we were mugged in the ruck.

"We were always on the back foot as a result even though we scored some great tries. It burned us and at times our middles looked shot to pieces.

"We hung in there well but if they hadn't scored before half time it would have been a different game. We came out in the second half and made a meal of it.

"All credit to my halves though and Jon Wilkin, they really brought us home well. The final 30 minutes was up there with the Wigan and Warrington games. We completed 13 sets in a row kicked it long and rolled our sleeves up.

"That wins you cup games, doing the dirty stuff, getting our head down and completing sets."

In Shannon McDonnell's absence Saints went with Mark Percival at full back - and he scored tries either side of taking a head knock that needed checking.

"I couldn't get him back on the field quick enough," Cunningham said.

"He's not played full-back since junior level and he was probably thankful for the 15-minute break.

"But he did a great job and he topped it off with a nice try at the end.

"When Percy came back we got that stability with our edges and middles. Mose Masoe's second stint was outstanding. Jon Wilkin was superb too. He led from the front."

Of Saints' semi draw with Leeds, Cunningham said: "Any draw would be tough.

"If you have any ambition to win competitions you have to play great teams. You couldn't pick a draw really as all sides are playing well."