St Helens fought off Hull FC's early bluster and stormed back to take a four-point lead at the head of the engage Super League table with a hard-earned victory.

Francis Meli's second-half hat-trick set up the win as a late Graeme Horne try gave the travelling Hull fans hope until the end.

Australian Chris Flannery was Saints' only change, replacing banned stand-off Leon Pryce.

In contrast, Hull were again without six first-team regulars - Shaun Briscoe, Gareth Raynor, Garreth Carvell, Wayne Godwin, Kirk Yeaman and Shane McMenemy

Yet, it was Hull - seeking a fifth successive win - who started better despite some lively input from Saints prop Nick Fozzard.

Urged on by a large and vocal following, Hull looked set to challenge for a fifth successive win as the Saints found it difficult to prise open the hard-working Hull defence.

Sean Long tried to breach the Hull line with a deft chip over Motu Tony, only to see the fullback charge it down and clear.

Saints were dealt an injury blow when second-rower, Lee Gilmour, was forced to leave the field nursing his jaw after a clattering tackle by Richard Whiting.

And Hull struck quickly to snatch the lead on 20 minutes with Tony supporting a Willie Manu drive deep into Saints territory before latching on to the forward's deft pass to cross between the posts.

But Saints hit back quickly - running in three tries in six minutes, sparked by mercurial halfback Long.

Long's acceleration took him through a gap on an angled run to the left corner.

Then Paul Clough ploughed over from close-range, edging Saints 8-6 ahead.

And Saints were eight points clear after Jon Wilkin pounced on a Tony fumble in front of the Hull posts, with Matt Gidley's pass sending Ade Gardner over and Long adding the touchline conversion.

Danny Tickle edged Hull closer with a 34th-minute penalty.

But Matt Head was sin-binned on 38-minutes when his high-tackle stopped a Gardner try. This after Flannery and Gidley had released the winger down the right.

A Long penalty closed out the half with Saints leading 16-8.

Tickle's penalty opened the second half scoring with Head rejoining the game from the sin-bin.

Saints responded with winger Francis Meli finishing off a quick handling move by taking Willie Talau's final pass to stroll in at the left corner.

Long missed the conversion but soon added a penalty, after another Tony fumble caught Hull offside, to open a 20-10 lead.

But Hull were not giving up lightly and Matt Sing pounced to score in the right corner on the hour mark. The penalty kicks of Long ensured a two-score cushion for the home time.

Another score at the left corner for Meli looked to have sealed a comfortable win with Long adding a penalty for a 26-14 lead.

But Horne chased down a Richard Whiting kick for a terrific try at the right corner and Tickle's touchline conversion ensured a nervy finish for Saints.

The home side responded with Long sending over a 77th-minute drop goal before Meli struck again to grab his hat-trick score. Maurie Fa'asavalu failed with the conversion attempt.