St Helens closed the gap on Super League leaders Leeds to just two points after a powerful display against the reigning champions.

Francis Meli scored two tries in the second half for Saints while Leon Pryce also went over.

It added to the first-half efforts from Maurie Fa'asavalu and Bryn Hargreaves.

The dismissal of Nick Scruton for a dangerous tackle on Keiron Cunningham in the second half severely hampered any hopes of a recovery by Leeds.

A typically cagey opening quarter saw Ryan Bailey placed on report for a tackle which left Fa'asavalu in agony on the ground.

But the Samoa-born Great Britain international recovered and gave Saints the lead on 24 minutes after some neat passing by Pryce and James Graham and he got past Brent Webb to cross.

Sean Long added the extras but six minutes later Leeds levelled when Kevin Sinfield touched down Danny McGuire's grubber kick and kicked the conversion.

Saints went on to take the lead but there was an element of luck as Long's kick hit the upright and fell into the arms of prop Hargreaves to give him an easy try but again Long missed the extras.

It took the visitors four minutes to extend their lead after the break with Pryce and Paul Wellens working the ball out for Meli to finish decisively although Long missed the extras.

Scruton's sending-off proved a key turning point and Saints immediately made the extra man count with Wellens and Talau getting Meli over for his second try to make it 18-6.

It could have been worse for Leeds but Sinfield saved a certain try for ripping the ball from Long's grasp as he went over the line.

Scott Donald gave Leeds hope when he went over for his 18th try of the season and Sinfield's touchline conversion cut the gap to six points.

But Saints made sure of the win when Long's high kick was plucked out of the air by Pryce for his side's fifth try and Long added the conversion, before completing the scoring with a late penalty.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan on Nick Scruton's red card:
"He's very remorseful, he's a good young kid."

On the Rhinos' defeat:
"In the third quarter, we started getting penalties against us and the sending-off made it tough.

"We were a bit disappointed with the way we performed in the last couple of weeks but this was a step in the right direction."

St Helens coach Daniel Anderson:
"The sending-off may detract a little from our performance but I thought we were fantastic up to that point and I thought we were exceptional after it.

"I know Nick Scruton is not malicious but it was a sending-off offence. It was a dangerous throw and I don't think he can argue with the decision."

Anderson on Leon Pryce's injury:
"He's in doubt (for England v France) because it's something that doesn't have a finite recovery period.

"The chances are that he'll be right. He does have a quadricep injury but I'll leave (England coach) Tony Smith and his medical staff to check on it."

Leeds: Webb, Smith, Ellis, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Bailey, Peacock, Ablett, Sinfield.
Replacements: Scruton, Tansey, Burgess, Jones-Buchanan.

St Helens: Wellens, Gardner, Gidley, Talau, Meli, Pryce, Long, Graham, Cunningham, Hargreaves, Gilmour, Wilkin, Sculthorpe.
Replacements: Roby, Clough, Fa'asavalu, Thompson.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens)