Late Saints blitz keeps Cullen on the hotseat

The heat was on Warrington's coach Paul Cullen but cup favourites Saints were also made to sweat in the midday sun. They squandered the advantage given them by Lee Gilmour's first-minute touchdown and it was not until the Great Britain second rower scored his second an hour later that they got their noses in front.

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For the whole of that period,Warrington were without their principal enforcer Adrian Morley, who took a head shot from Saints Nick Fozzard from the first kick-off.

Morley's return, however welcome, was not enough to stop Saints running in three late scores — a penalty goal from Paul Wellens, a drop goal from an out-of-sorts Sean Long and a typically opportunist try from James Roby.

Relieved Saints coach Daniel Anderson said: "Determination won us the game today, not skill or class.

"All credit to Warrington. They lost a pretty inspirational player in the first minute and the ferocity of their play flustered us. They forced a few errors from us but it was stinking hot out there for both teams."

Warrington, who were without Brent Grose had been deceived by an awkward bounce from Willie Talau's kick ahead.

Warrington should have been level,at least, within minutes but Henry Fa'afili's panic pass sailed into touch when teenage winger Chris Riley was poised to go in at the corner.

They made up for it when their other teenage winger, Kevin Penny, breezed past Ade Gardner and Wellens to score in only his third game, skipper Lee Briers adding the extras.

Fa'afili atoned for his error and Briers converted to give Warrington a 12-4 lead at the interval.

Saints hit back with tries former Saints stars Martin Gleeson and Vinnie Anderson, had not won at Knowsley Road for 13 years and the events of the opening minute did little to encourage them or their followers.

Morley staggered away from his collision with Fozzard and Gilmour scooted over at the other end after from Talau and Gardner before a Briers penalty put Warrington ahead again.

Morley appeared on the touchline, ready to resume,just as Jon Wilkin and Long set up Gilmour's second touchdown and,when Warrington wasted a late try-scoring opportunity, Saints finished the game decisively.

Cullen refused to speculate on his position, saying: "My focus is on our next game, against Wakefield. I won't be derailed by anything else.

"We came here to win,not for damage limitation. It was a very decent effort and a real test of our character against the best team in the competition."