Wakefield Trinity 26 Hull FC 27 - Golden-point agony after stirring Trinity comeback

Trinity had come back from 20-6 down at half-time to take the game into extra-time with the second of Tom Johnstone’s spectacular one-handed finishes in the 77th minute.

Wakefield fans behind the posts were then cheering thinking Max Jowitt’s well-struck touchline kick had sailed between the posts for a lead.

It hadn’t. Instead, the game was locked at 26-26 and the clock ticked down.

It was almost inevitable what would happen next.

Sneyd, who scored Super League’s first-ever Golden Point winner at Wigan last February, knows just what to do.

Hull received possession from the kick-off and made good metres before Albert Kelly cleverly got them within 40m. Two-time Lance Todd Trophy winner Sneyd coolly did the rest.

It was tough on Wakefield who had out-scored Hull five tries to four but Sneyd’s two earlier penalties also proved so crucial.

Veteran centre Ryan Atkins marked his 100th appearance for the club with a brace of tries and there were plenty of other fine performances in their ranks.

Their initial fightback began when Jamie Shaul, the otherwise excellent Hull full-back, made a rare error, spilling in the 52nd minute.

Jay Pitts thundered over on a tough carry against his former side and Jowitt converted.

When Hull’s discipline waned once again, Trinity struck once more.

This time, they probed left when Alex Walker entered the line and sucked in defenders before finding Atkins powering back inside on a lovely angle towards the posts.

Jowitt converted to leave his side trailing just 20-18 but Reece Lyne, crucially, made an error in the restart set to give Hull the chance to regain the initiative.

They duly did. Josh Jones looked to be going nowhere as he crabbed crossfield from the left looking for holes to burst through.

The Great Britain back-row did not find one himself but he did pick a perfect short pass for Kelly to arrow onto at pace and surge over from 15m out.

Sneyd improved the 62nd- minute effort but Johnstone’s brace had Hull nervy facing a fourth straight defeat.

Earlier, Atkins chased down his own grubber to score the opening try.

But that was cancelled out as Fonua, Shaul and Kieran Buchanan darted over.

The 21-year-old academy product must be pinching himself that he is actually playing.

Just a few weeks ago, he looked like he was sixth in line for a wing spot in Radford’s side.

However, how things can quickly change; with injuries to Ratu Naulago, Adam Swift and Buerata Farimo – as well as Matty Dawson-Jones’ move to Bradford Bulls – he found himself starting last night and he fared well.

Sneyd missed the conversion attempt but slotted a 33rd-minute penalty and it was the 29-year-old who came up trumps at the death, too.

Crestfallen Trinity coach Chris Chester – who made a surprise choice of Jordy Crowther at hooker – said: “It’s heartbreaking, really, with the effort they put in, certainly that second 40 minutes.

“It just kind of summed us up that last set. We just continually let Hull FC back into games.

“There was just some poor tackle selections for those last two tackles for Sneyd’s drop goal. I’m immensely proud of the effort of the players.

“They never give in and put themselves in a good position to go win but also really frustrated that Marc Sneyd’s done us again with a one-pointer.”

Wakefield Trinity: Walker; Tupou, Lyne, Atkins, Johnstone; Miller, Jowitt; Green, Tanginoa, Pitts, Ashurst, Westerman. Substitutes: K Wood, Arona, King, Navarrete.

Hull FC: Shaul; Fonua, Tuimavave, Griffin, Buchanan; Kelly, Sneyd; Taylor, Houghton, Bowde, Jones, Ma’u, Cator. Substitutes: Satae, Sao, Ellis, Johnstone.

Referee: James Child (Dewsbury).