A late drop goal has earned St Helens a narrow 13-12 win over 12-man Leeds Rhinos in the Super League this evening.
Both sides made a cagey start to the match, creating few try-scoring opportunities in the opening 20 minutes, as Kevin Sinfield and Mark Percival each kicked a penalty.
Tempers flared in the 23rd minute as Joel Moon hit Percival with a shoulder charge, earning himself a red card but also forcing the St Helens man off with an injury.
Despite being reduced to 12 men, it was Leeds who scored the first try of the evening, when Liam Sutcliffe made a run out wide before diving over.
Sinfield also added a couple more penalties to ease the pressure on the hosts, but they began to tire midway through the second half.
As a result, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook and James Roby both went over to get the scores back on level terms with 10 minutes to go.
Leeds defended hard to try to keep themselves in the tie, but a drop goal five minutes from full time from Lance Hohaia split the uprights to edge the visitors ahead.
The result leaves St Helens five points clear at the top of the table, while Leeds sit fourth.
Sian Cowper
