Moses Mbye landed a golden-point drop goal as St Helens leapfrogged Salford in the Betfred Super League with a dramatic 17-16 victory.
The two sides matched each other blow for blow in a hard-fought encounter at the Totally Wicked Stadium but Mbye, who also missed an extra-point attempt in the last minute, had the final say.
Saints outscored the Red Devils three tries to two but the accurate boot of Marc Sneyd, who landed four goals, ensured the visitors were always in contention.
The result lifted Paul Wellens’ side above Salford into fourth in the table on points difference.
Saints started well but were pegged back in a scrappy, error-strewn first half that ended 4-4.
Tommy Makinson opened the scoring when he dived under two attempted tackles and the hosts were threatening again when Daryl Clark was crudely pulled back by Joe Shorrocks, who was sin-binned.
Yet Saints failed to make the most of the extra man as Tee Ritson had a try disallowed for a knock-on and Salford levelled matters with two Sneyd penalties.
The Red Devils scrum-half wanted to add a further point before the interval but Shorrocks did not get the message and a drop-goal opportunity was lost.
Saints tried to up the intensity after the break and James Bell caught Loghan Lewis with a thunderous tackle that made the Salford substitute vomit.
Saints reclaimed the lead as Curtis Sironen spun out of a tackle and sent Waqa Blake over but Salford quickly responded as Chris Hankinson got a fingertip touch to a Sneyd kick.
Makinson thought he had scored his second after Salford failed to deal with a bouncing ball but was denied by the video referee because of an offside.
The Merseysiders lost key man Lewis Dodd to injury but got back in front on the hour after a break by Harry Robertson set up position for Jake Burns to send Joe Batchelor over with a short pass.
Again the lead did not last but Saints did not help themselves as Morgan Knowles and Batchelor were sin-binned in quick succession for a high tackle and off-the-ball clash respectively.
Salford’s Oliver Partington also saw yellow for his reaction to Batchelor’s collision with Lewis, but the visitors made the extra player tell as Nene Macdonald powered his way over the line.
A Macdonald burst gave Salford a great chance to snatch victory late on but he was stopped by Ritson and Mbye produced an equally important tackle on Deon Cross.
Mbye was well wide with a late drop-goal attempt and the matter had to be settled in the extra period.
This time Mbye made it count with a long-range effort that just dropped over the bar.
By Andy Hampson, PA
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