More good defending from Sia Soliola to earn St Helens the turnover. His try proved the catalyst for Saints' second-half comeback, in his final appearance for the club before he heads to Australia's NRL.

Rob Burrow
Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"Trying to defend for eight minutes is an eternity in this game and Wigan are the one team that could come back from this.

"They need to score twice but they are the team that could do this but they need to keep the ball.

"They have got it in themselves to do this, they just have to make sure they do not panic."

Do Wigan have anything left? They come forward again and have a scrum just inside St Helens territory courtesy of a knock-on. Saints skipper Paul Wellens is down receiving some treatment.

George Riley
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"That could prove the match winner. Matty Bowen got nowhere and St Helens may just have gone too far ahead in this Grand Final.

"We did wonder how big that missed kick could be but what a finish, what a season Makinson has had - in the Super League dream team and the England squad.

"Saints are edging towards ending that horrific five consecutive Super League Grand Final defeats between 2007-2011.

"It would be a great story for St Helens, they have had so many injuries this season."

Ray French
BBC Radio Merseyside

"St Helens don't have to throw it around. They just have to see out their sets of six and Wigan will tire."

Image source, PA

Is that game over? St Helens captain Paul Wellens puts up a high kick and Tommy Makinson claims it above the Wigan defence to touch down under the posts. Makinson jumps in delight, and as Mark Percival sends over the kick at goal, a first title since 2006 is not too far away.

George Riley
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"It wasn't an easy kick but you do start to wonder how key that missed kick could be.

"It is as fierce a derby as I have seen for some time."

I have to admit that, when Ben Flower was sent off with less than two minutes on the clock, I did not expect Wigan to still be so close at this stage. Only 14 minutes left and the Warriors are still in with a shout.

How crucial will that miss be from Matty Smith? It was by no means a certainty. But in a game as tight and as important as this, chances like that simply have to go over as he pulls his kick across the face of the posts and wide.

After a wonderful Wigan break, Josh Charnley is tackled 10 metres out by Josh Jones, but he holds on too long and Saints are penalised. Wigan going for the two to level it up again.

Wigan are keeping the ball alive inside their own 10 metres. Offload after offload from their back five. They are not giving up by any means, and you would not put it past them to get back into this one.

George Riley
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

"The pendulum is swinging and it is swinging towards St Helens.

"Wigan need a big game changer. They are going to need a 40-20 kick or a penalty to get down the other end. Anything to try and get some points on the board."

Nathan Middleton
BBC Sport at Old Trafford

"Both teams now attacking their own fans. The Saints supporters almost pulled Soliola over for that try. The noise levels have gone up a notch."

Image source, PA

20 minutes left to play. Just two points the difference.

Rob Burrow
Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"It is probably a bit easier for us in the gantry to see that opportunity. I think it shows that Wigan have the ability to come back from this.

"It is what Wigan have been doing all season and why they are in this final. They have been outstanding, not just with the ball, but being willing to go that extra yard."

What a tackle by Tommy Makinson to deny Liam Farrell, who was about to score one of the greatest tries ever seen in a Grand Final. Makinson has been in lethal scoring form at the other end for Saints this season, but he needed all of his defensive skills to keep out the Wigan second-rower there. The move develops and Wigan are still in the hunt, but then John Bateman knocks on. An escape for Saints, a moment of hope for the Warriors.

Rob Burrow
Leeds half-back on BBC Radio 5 live

"That could have been the first time Wigan will have thought that they are a man down.

"St Helens have had all the field possession for the last 10 minutes and they look like the team in control now.

"Nathan Brown will have told his players they needed to start this half big and I think you will see them get better and better."

Alex Haworth:, external It's that Flower has flagrantly diminished his side's chances that's annoyed me more than the fact that he's assaulted someone.

Paul Heyes:, external The forearm smash deserves a red card, the first punch deserves a red card. The second punch deserves criminal proceedings.

Stu Dykes:, external Worst first half ever. South Sydney must be laughing.

St Helens and Wigan Warriors will both be involved in next year's newly revamped six-team World Club Challenge that will take place in the UK between Friday, 20 February - Sunday, 22 February 2015. South Sydney Rabbitohs, this year's NRL Grand Final champions finalists Brisbane Broncos and St George-Illawarra Dragons will also feature, while Warrington will also represent Super League.

Image source, Getty Images

In his farewell appearance for St Helens, Sia Soliola gives them a huge lift with his side's first try of the evening. The big forward, sporting a more sensible haircut these days, powers his way over from close range. Mark Percival converts and puts Saints in front for the first time in the Grand Final.

Not quite a situation of counting down the minutes for Wigan, but with every passing set of six they see out, the more they must believe it will be their day. They have more defensive work to do now, as prop Eddy Pettybourne knocks on near the halfway line.