A below-par Saints went in front for the first time with Matt Gidley's second try in the 56th minute but, in a thrilling finale, Wigan winger Pat Richards levelled the scores with a long-range penalty 10 minutes from the end.

A draw brought St Helens' 21-match winning run to an end but the point was enough to enable them to retain the League leaders' trophy which was presented to captain Keiron Cunningham at the end of an enthralling match.

Richards, in fact, had a chance to win the game for the visitors but his late drop goal attempt sailed well wide of the posts.

However, the Warriors will be delighted not only to end their dismal run at the hands of their neighbours but to keep alive their hopes of a home tie in the play-offs.

Wigan had been in sight of their first win at Knowsley Road for five years after taking advantage of the sin-binning of St Helens prop James Graham to score two tries in his absence.

But they could not sustain their challenge as Saints recovered to dominate the second period.

Without influential England stand-off Leon Pryce, who rested a calf injury, Saints looked to be suffering a hangover from their Challenge Cup triumph as they struggled for cohesion in difficult, wet conditions which were a far cry from the searing heat of Wembley.

Wigan made the better start and forced three goalline drop-outs in the first 12 minutes.

They twice opted to run the ball after being awarded penalties in front of the St Helens posts but the home defence held firm and Saints had the first scoring opportunity when winger Francis Meli broke out of defence only to be denied by a last-ditch tackle from winger Pat Richards.

When Saints attacked, George Carmont and Thomas Leuluai twice pulled off timely interceptions and it was heading for a point-less first half until a flare-up in the 18th minute changed the complexion of the match.

Graham took exception to an off-the-ball challenge from Wigan substitute Iafeta Paleaaesina and was sin-binned by referee Ashley Klein for retaliation, even though Saints were given the penalty.

Wigan took full advantage of the extra man, with skipper Trent Barrett sending Carmont over in the 25th minute to open the scoring and then producing another sublime pass to get loose-forward Joel Tomkins over soon after.

Richards added both conversions but Saints pulled a try back just before half-time when Gidley slid over the line and video referee Ian Smith gave him the benefit of the doubt in awarding the try.

Sean Long landed the touchline conversion to cut Wigan's lead by half but Richards made it 14-6 with a 40-metre penalty within two minutes of the re-start.

St Helens were still struggling to re-discover their form and, when substitute Maurie Fa'asavalu reached the Wigan line, he was held up on his back by energetic and hungry defenders.