WARRINGTON Wolves face a hard road to the Grand Final as they were humbled 28-6 by St Helens at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.
The Wolves now need to win two more matches to reach Old Trafford while the visitors are just one game away from the final with the advantage of a rest next week.
There was little sign of what was to come as the Wolves started the brighter as Brett Hodgson dummied his way over to mark his 100th Super League appearance.
The full-back added the extras but it was the last time Warrington would trouble the scorer.
Iosia Soliola bulldozed over to level it at 6-6 and the New Zealand international made a superb break three minutes later before off loading for Tommy Makinson to score the first of his two tries as the Wolves went in 6-12 down at the break.
Warrington should have responded after the break but Ryan Atkins sent an uncharacteristically wayward pass to Chris Riley and they were punished when Jonny Lomax went on a surging run before putting Makinson in again.
Another Warrington chance went begging as Atkins and Riley missed another chance and Saints went for the kill as Tony Puletua sent James Roby powering to the line followed byFrancis Meli who touched down in the corner three minutes later to leave the Wolves licking their wounds and facing a play off eliminator against Hull FC at the Halliwell Jones on Saturday, kick off 6.45pm.
Prop Chris Hill powers up field
Ryan Atkins looks for a way through
Battled and bloodied Trent Waterhouse takes another big hit
