A dramatic finish denied Salford Red Devils victory in an enthralling match away to St Helens.
The Red Devils had fought back from 16-0 down to hold an impressive lead as they entered the final 20 minutes, before the hosts hit-back to clinch the win with a conversion in the final minute.
Two tries from Lachlan Coote inside the first ten minutes saw Saints open up an early lead.
The first came through a Regan Grace break from halfway and the second came when he chased down Theo Fages’ dink over the top.
This was soon followed by Tommy Makinson squeezing over in the corner when the ball was moved wide to the right.
Salford hit-back through Gil Dudson who stayed low and powered over after his team were granted field position thanks to a Rob Lui 40/20.
Derrel Olpherts then dived in down the right flank, but was confirmed by the video referee to have been forced into touch.
There was no need for the video referee however, when Krisnan Inu got an offload away to send Niall Evalds on a 70 metre dash.
Olpherts then completed the Salford comeback by stepping inside after scooping up the ball when Inu had palmed back a Lui kick, before Inu took the lead with the conversion.
😈 Gil Dudson with Salford’s first try of the game here at @twstadium!!!
Big thank you to the amazing Salford fans who made the trip tonight!
💪 #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/XhJF6gAR1Y
— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) May 17, 2019
Half time: St Helens 16-18 Salford Red Devils
Salford extended their lead in the second half when Lui made the break and fed the ball inside for Evalds to score his second try of the game.
Inu followed his own grubber-kick to add another try, but saw play called back for a scrum before Lui claimed the points for Salford from that visit to the Saints line, crossing with a trademark step.
Coote completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute when Zeb Taia tapped the ball inside and Makinson soon cut the lead further.
Coote then turned provider with less than two minutes remaining, sending James Bentey over to level the scores, meaning Coote’s conversion claimed victory for the hosts.
The Red Devils will return to Merseyside on Sunday, when they face Hull KR at Magic Weekend. Get more information about how to buy your Magic Weekend Tickets HERE.
St Helens tries: Coote (5, 9, 65), Makinson (12, 67), Bentley (78)
St Helens goals: Coote (4/6)
Salford tries: Dudson (16), Evalds (23, 55), Olphers (28), Lui (61)
Salford goals: Krisnan Inu (5/5)
St Helens: Coote, Swift, Makinson, Costello, Grace, Lomax, Fages, Walmsley, Smith, Lees, Taia, Peyroux, Knowles, Paulo, Amor, Ashworth, Bentley
Salford Red Devils: Evalds, Olpherts, Inu, Welham, Sio, Lui, Hastings, Mossop, Lussick, Dudson, Jones, Griffin, Burke, Walker, Murray, McCarthy, Pauli Pauli Referee: Scott Mikalauskas
