Saints 22 London Broncos 22 SUPER League champions Saints' chances of retaining the coveted title were dealt another severe blow by the Broncos in this epic encounter on Friday night.

Coming in the wake of defeat by leaders Bradford Bulls, the loss of a first-ever point to the visitors means that Saints are now in third place and five points adrift at the top.

For injury-ravaged Saints the draw spelled the loss of a home point for the first time in 23 games, and it is ironic that a similar performance by London at Wigan last season put Saints firmly on course for the championship.

However, the absence of Alan Hunte, Tommy Martyn and Chris Joynt should not be used in mitigation of a Saints' side which, although lacking little in commitment, was a pale shadow - particularly in the first half - of the Wembley winners of a fortnight previously.

Saints spilled far too much ball during this vital opening 40 minutes, when the well-drilled Broncos threatened to take stranglehold on proceedings, although it has to be said that London's first try was fortuitous to say the least

But it speaks volumes for the character of the beleagured Knowsley Road side that, despite reeling from further injury disaster to Paul Newlove and Apollo Perelini, they showed resolve to claw their way back into contention and, indeed, might have snatched victory.

That would have been less than fair to London, who contributed greatly to an absolute thriller full of all that is best in the 13-a-side code.

The McEwan Lager man-of-the-match award went to non-stop Keiron Cunningham, while Karle Hammond, who made a try and scored another, scooped the NatWest accolade.

Broncos were first out of the blocks when Greg Barwick landed a penalty and further trauma struck Saints when London hooker Robbie Beazley's chip-through bounced off Julian O'Neill for Tony Mestrov to touch down and Barwick converted. Ball stealing by Steve Rosolen saw Bobbie Goulding reduce Saints' arrears with a penalty, only for the Broncos to take a 14-2 lead when, from a five-metre scrum, the influential Peter Gill used skipper Shaun Edwards as a decoy to stroll through for another six pointer.

The next score came from Saints when Cunningham, McVey and Hammond combined to send Newlove over, but the big centre suffered hamstring damage and was substituted by Vila Matautia.

Mick Seaby came on Beazley in the London line-up and lasted just five minutes after conceding two penalties for play-the-ball offences, which Goulding translated into four points to bring Saints back into the reckoning in trailing 14-10, only for Barwick to kick his fourth goal when Matautia fouled David Krausse.

The Broncos marksman was on target again on the restart when McVey held down Tulsen Tollett, but Saints' fightback was on in earnest when Pickavance, Busby and Matautia swept through from half-way and Hammond took the final pass to score, with Goulding tacking on the extra points.

Andy Northey was then placed on report following a tackle on Martin Offiah, who then responded in positive manner by racing 50 yards and resisting the challenge of Steve Prescott to cross in the corner. Saints' substitute Paul Anderson broke through to send Goulding behind the posts with just nine minutes remaining.

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