SAINTS boss Keiron Cunningham was delighted with the way Jordan Turner snatched the spoils at Warrington – but said there didn’t deserve to be a loser.

Cunningham was speaking after Saints won a pulsating game – 20-14 to climb to the top of the Super League until Friday night.

Cunningham said: "I'd have taken the draw to be honest!"

"I'm not sure the game deserved a loser a times. Both sides were great for a period, the defences were good too. They are so quick around the middle and have four dummy runners coming at you that at times.

“We were trying to survive at times and that is what we did.

“Fortunately we saved a few subs that second half and they did a good job.

“I knew we would do something - I knew we would get a crack at something and that is what I tell my players – you will always get a chance to win the game no matter how long is left. We left it quite late again. I am really happy with the win and the two points.

"But the performance was the biggest thing for me. We never gave up.”

Defensively Saints improved out of sight and with the ball they produced the goods when it mattered.

"We have players here that are more than able to express themselves with the ball. Quinlan turned up on everything and reinforced why he is here and I thought it was good how we moved the ball after we made the break too.

"But all credit to Jordan Turner. Our left edge has come under some flack over the last couple of weeks and it was poignant he put the ball down to win the game," he said.

One of the unsung heroes was Mark Flanagan who had to really up his game when Saints lost Jon Wilkin with a thumb injury after only eight minutes.

Cunningham continued: "I thought Mark Flanagan was massive. He grounded the ball after Turner had made that wonderful tackle.

“Mark went through a lot of pain tonight for the side and he played 80 minutes in a derby game withthem coming at him after playing 20 minutes here and there off the bench.

"He has been phenomenal; he work rate was up there. Yes he doesn't make 100 metre breaks that everyone likes but he works hard and tides up for us. He did a great job for us tonight."

“We did the little things we have been missing over recent weeks and in the end we found a way to win the game. Our fight for each other on both sides of the ball was phenomenal because for large portions of the game we were on the back foot.

“To come through that and snatch a victory against a team who is in very good form is pleasing for the plans”

Of the possible loss of skipper Wilkin, Cunningham added: "I had all these plans of using Jon in the middle and moving him about. We don't know the extent yet. It hurt us time wise as he can do 80 minutes for you whether he plays edge or middle.

"It's potentially a break or dislocation but we've got to get it checked and see what the medical team say.

"It breaks my heart because Jon been outstanding all season and I really feel for Jon.

"If anybody deserves to play in big games it's Jon. He's that good and important for the team."

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