Daryl Powell hails Wakefield match-winner Mason Lino after 15-14 result against Leeds
The veteran half-back played a crisp pass to send Matty Storton crashing over to help level the score late on
Daryl Powell praised match-winner Mason Lino after his late drop-goal sealed a thrilling 15-14 Betfred Super League win for Wakefield over Leeds at the DIY Kitchen Stadium.
The veteran half-back played a crisp pass to send Matty Storton crashing over to help level the score late on after Jarrod O'Connor's late try from dummy-half had threatened to snatch victory for the visitors.
Then Lino held his nerve to force his kick between the posts with seven seconds left on the stadium clock, moments after Brodie Croft had seen his own effort drift wide at the other end.
"He was under a fair bit of pressure and to be honest I don't know how he got it over," said a relieved Powell, who relished a memorable evening in front of Trinity's biggest crowd in 12 years.
"He had an outstanding last seven minutes, he picked the pass for Storton to score, then got the drop-goal.
"He's done some unbelievable things for him this year. He's been the only recognised half at times for us this season and I think he's really grown in maturity."
Wakefield's win sends them back into the play-off places ahead of the weekend and Powell admitted they were two crucial points with closest rivals Hull FC favoured to win their next two games against struggling Huddersfield and Salford.
"The two games we've got are obviously tougher games, so it was important that we won tonight, and the game against St Helens will be very important as well.
"There's a bit of ping-pong at the moment. I think for us and Hull it's about who's going to be the toughest and hold their nerve to the end of the season. But that gives us a really good start to the weekend."
Leeds head coach Brad Arthur bemoaned "cheap errors" for his side's inability to build on last week's win over Salford.
Arthur admitted his side were fortunate to reach half-time on level terms after Sam Lisone breached the Wakefield defence just before the hooter.
But having lost playmaker Jake Connor to a head injury, the Rhinos laboured in the second period and failed to wrest enough field position to do damage.
"I was tremendously proud of their effort and physicality, it was all there, but when you give a quality team that many chances, you're going to come away without the points," said Arthur.
"There were too many cheap errors in the second half. In the first half we did really well to come in at 8-8, we hadn't been in the game, but in the second half we handed them too much cheap possession, and they didn't have to work hard enough for it."
Arthur raised fears about youngster Alfie Edgell who was forced off with an apparent foot injury shortly after Jarrod O'Connor had crossed to put the visitors in front late on.
"I don't know if it's a ligament or a fracture, but he'll have to get a scan," added Arthur.