Dobson landed two crucial penalties after the break
Hull Kingston Rovers maintained their Super League play-off challenge with a valuable win over St Helens.
Jamie Foster converted his own opening try before scores by Blake Green and Sam Latus put the Robins in front.
Matty Ashurst's try for Saints and one more each for Green and Foster drew the scores level at half-time.
Two Michael Dobson goals and a Craig Hall try extended the hosts' lead and although Lee Gaskell went in at the hooter, it was too late for Saints.
Fine handling from Saints put Foster away in the corner for the opening score, which the young England winger converted brilliantly from the touchline.
Green rounded off a fine move for Rovers before Michael Dobson struck a 40/20 which set up Latus' try in the corner.
Jonny Lomax's brilliant kick behind Rovers' line bamboozled the defence allowing Ashurst to ground the ball and Foster's conversion made it 12-10 to the visitors.
Green's second came from poor defending by Saints but it was their trademark slick handling that gave Foster his second and draw the teams level at 16-16.
Saints came out for the second half firing on all cylinders and created an early chances for Scott Moore and Jon Wilkin..
KR fought back and won a penalty, which Dobson converted, to make it 18-16 with 30 minutes left.
The hosts' sustained pressure produced a try out wide for Hall from a Dobson kick, but the conversion came back off the post.
A Wilkin trip handed Dobson another penalty to extend Rovers' lead to 24-16.
Saints rallied and after several gilt-edged chances in the closing stages Gaskell went over after the hooter had sounded.
POST-MATCH QUOTES
Hull KR coach Justin Morgan: "This was a massive game and a huge win for us. To keep us very much in the hunt is something the players need to take great credit for.
"Saints beat us quite comfortably in the Challenge Cup so to turn that result around in a month is credit to them.
"We made some really strong carries and, although we still made a number of unforced errors, we showed great spirit to hold them out."
Saints coach Royce Simmons:
"They were too good for us. They were determined and hungrier than us and they kicked better and controlled the ball better than us.
"They're playing for eighth spot and competing with the side from across the river so they had everything to play for."
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