WOLVES ended their season with victory at reigning champions St Helens.

They were gallantly holding on to a 20-16 lead, having led 20-6 early in the second half, when tries from Roy Asotasi and Kevin Penny in the final three minutes settled matters.

Joel Monaghan’s 145th try in 145 appearances plus a 25-metre effort from Chris Hill and another from Jack Johnson handed Wolves their first-half 14-6 advantage.

And Ryan Atkins extended the lead further but Saints fired back and it was only a desperate tackle from Asotasi that prevented another Saints score.

The former New Zealand captain was then on hand to accept a wonderful Ben Westwood offload for the winner and Penny, denied four times previously by the video referee, made sure with an interception score on the hooter.

The win sends Joel Monaghan, Richie Myler and Asotasi off on a winning note as they join Chris Bridge, Gareth O'Brien and Simon Grix out of next season's playing panel.

A second-minute Penny try from Chris Sandow’s high kick was ruled out by the video referee Phil Bentham for a push on a defender.

Saints went ahead after nine minutes from their first threatening attack after a loose Wolves pass handed over possession.

Jon Wilkin and Luke Walsh combined to send Joe Greenwood through a huge hole from 10 metres, with Walsh also converting.

Wolves responded quickly though, with a lovely inside pass from Stefan Ratchford sending Jack Johnson away for his third true in the top flight and Sandow adding the extras in the 14th minute.

Daryl Clark was next to go close with a foray from dummy half but he lost the ball in a three-man tackle inches from the line.

Desperate defence kept Adam Swift and Jordan Turner out on opposing flanks on successive tackles before Wolves took a grip of things.

Consecutive penalties allowed Wolves to strike and after Ryan Atkins was held up on his back over the line it was a long pass from Richie Myler that released Ratchford into acres of space and he fed Monaghan for a walk-in.

Sandow was wide with the touchline conversion attempt but Wolves took to the front with 31 minutes gone.

And the advantage was extended three minutes later courtesy of Hill.

Atelea Vea lost possession, Atkins pounced on the ball and from the next tackle Hill brushed off Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook to angle his way to the line unopposed. Again Sandow failed to convert.

Saints were on a death wish at the start of the second half, with a succession of knock ons and Wolves cashed in when Atkins charged over from short range on 50 minutes. Sandow’s extras moved Wolves to 20-6.

But the home side fired a quick response with Adam Swift beating Johnson to Turner’s kick to the corner two minutes later to cut the arrears to 10 points.

That deficit was pegged back to four points when Mark Flanagan carried three defenders over the line with him in the 57th minute and Walsh converted.

Wolves stemmed the tide and Penny was twice denied tries by video referee Phil Bentham before the winning score three minutes from time.

Asotasi charged onto a wonderful offload from Westwood to cross between the sticks unopposed and finish his career on a high. Sandow’s goal made it 26-16.

But there was still time for Penny to finally make one count, intercepting Walsh’s long ball with the final play of the game. Myler set up to kick the conversion and in pantomime fashion Monaghan gazumped him from behind to kick the final two points of 2015.

Saints: Adam Quinlan, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Josh Jones, Adam Swift; Jordan Turner, Luke Walsh; Kyle Amor, James Roby, Andre Savelio, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, Joe Greenwood, Jon Wilkin. Subs: Mose Masoe, Atelea Vea, Mark Flanagan, Greg Richards.

Wolves: Jack Johnson; Joel Monaghan, Stefan Ratchford, Ryan Atkins, Kevin Penny; Richie Myler, Chris Sandow; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Ashton Sims, Ben Westwood, Ben Currie, George King. Subs: Ben Harrison, Roy Asotasi, Brad Dwyer, Joe Philbin.