WOLVES’ penalty woes struck again as they became the latest side to fall victim to Super League leaders St Helens.

Steve Price’s side were caned by referee James Child in each half and it took its toll after the break.

Wolves, on the wrong end of a 12-6 penalty count, spent the majority of the second period pegged inside their own half and Saints made them pay, although they only settled matters in the final 13 minutes.

The Wire trailed 8-6 at half-time, a Danny Richardson penalty goal the only difference after a converted try apiece.

Saints went in front after six minutes.

They ran the ball on the last tackle and Richardson switched play inside from first receiver for Mark Percival to charge over.

Wolves were back on level terms 10 minutes before the break when Tyrone Roberts’ cross-field kick was palmed backwards by Tom Lineham for Toby King to pick up the pieces.

Stef Ratchford’s equalising touchline conversion was a beauty but Warrington were on the wrong end of the penalty account again and Richardson took the chance to put his side two points in front before the break.

Saints got the second half off to a fast start with James Roby darting over from dummy half and Richardson again adding the extras.

Wire soaked up a spell of pressure before responding with Harvey Livett’s first touch.

Toby King knocked Kevin Brown’s kick back to him and he squeezed over in the corner, with Ratchford goaling to cut the gap to 14-12 after 53 minutes.

Saints dangerman Ben Barba sucked in Ryan Atkins before slipping a neat pass for Percival’s second try in the 59th minute.

The game was put to bed with 12 minutes remaining.

Clark charged up in defence on the last tackle but Richardson hared through the hole that he left from 60 metres out and kicked to the left for Percival to regather and score.

Barba offloaded and Percival kicked on the fly for Richardson to win the chase for the final try with two minutes remaining.

Wolves: Stefan Ratchford; Mitch Brown, Ryan Atkins, Toby King, Tom Lineham; Kevin Brown, Tyrone Roberts; Chris Hill, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Murdoch-Masila, Jack Hughes, Ben Westwood. Subs: Dom Crosby, Joe Philbin, George King, Harvey Livett.

Saints: Ben Barba; Adam Swift, Tommy Makinson, Mark Percival, Regan Grace; Jonny Lomax, Danny Richardson; Kyle Amor, James Roby, Luke Thompson, Zeb Taia, Dominique Peyroux, Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook. Subs: Theo Fages, Alex Walmsley, Luke Douglas, Matty Lees.