SAINTS boss Justin Holbrook was happy with his first experience of a Wigan derby after seeing his side snatch a late 22-19 victory.

Wigan had led by a point courtesy of a Thomas Leuluai drop goal as the clock ticked down.

But three minutes from time Wigan old boy Matty Smith launched a high kick wide, which Mark Percival attacked to come up with the winning try.

Afterwards Holbrook said: “It was a good tough old game.

“Neither side looked fantastic. I am obviously only new but I knew the importance of how big a game it was.

“I didn’t try and shy away from it with our boys, I knew how much it means to both clubs and for us to find a way to win, I guess, I’m rapt.

“It was obvious very tight at half time and I thought we had done well to be that close.”

Saints had to hang in there as Wigan seemed to physically dominate for a large chunk of the game, but despite a bit of a wobble with the ball, they showed resilience.

Holbrook added: “Wigan had control of the whole first half and we were just hanging in there.

“We were a bit all over the shop with the ball in the second half but we kept turning up in defence. We only made one defensive error on a kick and outside of that we defended really strongly.

“And in the end Percy came up with that big play to catch that ball and brought us home.”

He had special praise for the England centre Percival who proved to be the match-winner.

Holbrook said: “Percy didn’t get a lot of ball but he was patient and came up with two massive plays that were probably the difference between the two teams. There was not much between the teams and the way it was going “I couldn’t see either side getting on top in that second half.

“Full credit to Wigan, they held us out for a long time and then we good enough to hold them out.

“It wasn’t a great spectacle with the ball, but you wouldn’t know who was going to win and it definitely had that.

“Wigan slowed us down and made it really difficult and it was hard to get going all night, but I am just pleased.”

Although there was clearly much to still work on, Holbrook saw some qualities that will assist the team going forward.

“Last week we played well the whole game. To experience a win like tonight when you don’t play well that can only help the team as a group.

“There are going to be games when you are going to hang in there and that was definitely one of those.”

Holbrook said his first derby experience was “awesome” – and he praised the crowd’s contribution.

“It was an awesome. To have your teams singing throughout the whole game, and have everyone so close to the field – it was awesome to be a part of.

“I’m sure the players must feel so lucky to be running out in these type of these games. It is something I really enjoyed.”

Saints are now within a point of Wigan as they set their sights on climbing the table, but he was as pleased with the qualities shown.

Holbrook said: “For us to have two performances, particularly tonight, does not guarantee anything going forward but it shows that they can stick together and start working hard for each other.

“We got a couple of head knocks and they would not have been able to play. It will be good to give the boys a bit of time to freshen up for the next game.

“Theo Fages copped a bad head clash but he was fine in the sheds and talking to me. Luke Douglas is ok too.”