SAINTS assistant coach Jamahl Lolesi believes the team's exertions from the win over Wigan six days were a contributing factor to their flat performance in Thursday night's loss to Warrington Wolves.

The team lacked energy and enthusiasm against a Warrington side that were playing for purely local pride.

Lolesi admitted: "We probably paid the price for last week's game.

"That Wigan derby was a really high intensity game. We started really flat and struggled to get a foothold in the match.

"Warrington came here and played like they had nothing to lose as they have done for the last three weeks.

"We tried to warn the boys that would happen.

"But we didn't get off to a good start and then had to claw ourselves back into the game.

"You have to give credit to them as opposed to our guys being a bit flat though."

Saints fought back from a 20-6 deficit without really hitting their straps to cut the Wolves lead to four points.

And for a few moments just after the hour mark it looked like Saints were going to plunder the points - but a poor pass choice when they had an overlap and then Roy Asotasi's tackle on Adam Quinlan foiled certain scores.

"We fought really hard to get back into it, but all that energy cost us and it meant we didn't make the right decisions at the right time because of that fatigue and effort.

"We were not at the races for a number of reasons - Warrington's defence was in our face all night and they played with freedom."

After three good wins against Leeds, Castleford and Wigan Saints were looking ready to roll into the semis.

But this defeat gave them a jolt - one that may shake off some complacency, although Lolesi reckoned a few may have had half an eye on next week's do-or-die knockout semi.

"I suppose you could call it a wake up call. When we have come off wins over Wigan we have been a little flat and we have a few personnel missing such as Alex Walmsley.

"But the boys are under no illusion and perhaps in the back of their heads their focus was on next week. I suppose that is human nature," he said.