St Helens survived a sizzling Bradford fightback to snatch a thrilling win and move to second place in the Tetley's Super League.

Saints looked to have the points in the bag when they led 28-10 at the break after scoring five tries in the first half.

But then Henry and Robbie Paul sparked a comeback before Saints rallied to score two tries in the last six minutes through Paul Sculthorpe and Aussie forward Peter Shiels.

Bradford, aiming for revenge after their Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Saints, made a superb start leading 10-4 after 12 minutes with tries from Tevita Vaikona and Lee Gilmour.

Saints had drawn level at 4-4 with the first of skipper Chris Joynt's two tries.

But they gained the initiative when Scott Naylor was sin-binned for dissent.

Saints took advantage of the extra man for Sonny Nickle to cross and make it 10-10.

Saints added further tries before the break from Sculthorpe, the outstanding Anthony Stewart and Joynt, with Sculthorpe kicking four goals.

But Bradford rallied with three tries in six minutes early in the second half, with two from Robbie Paul sandwiched by Jamie Peacock's effort.

Henry Paul booted three goals from six attempts to make it 28-26 for Saints with 24 minutes remaining.

It was a superb match, with Sculthorpe going over in the 75th minute to add the goal and make it 34-26 before Shiels notched Saints' seventh try in the last minute.

It was superb entertainment in front of a 10,500 crowd as Bradford's seven-match unbeaten league run came to an end.