Huddersfield Giants leapfrogged St Helens into third place as the Super League champions slumped to a third successive Super 8s defeat following a 28-22 reverse at Langtree Park.

Keiron Cunningham's men are suffering a crisis of confidence at exactly the wrong time and Giants capitalised to bolster their play-off hopes on Thursday. 

Kyle Amor initially put Saints ahead early on when he went over under the sticks before two tries in six minutes from Jamie Ellis and Ukuma Ta'ai kick-started a gutsy performance from the visitors.

A Danny Brough penalty - adding to his two earlier conversions - ultimately proved the difference at half-time as James Roby brought Saints back to within two points, the hosts taking advantage of Huddersfield indiscipline as Michael Lawrence was sin-binned. 

Giants were still a man down when Joe Wardle went over before Saints' Tommy Makinson marked his return from a broken leg with a try. 

Luke Walsh hit the post with the kick and also failed to convert when Travis Burns hauled the sides level at 20-20. However, Walsh did slot over a penalty that edged Saints ahead, but only for Huddersfield to crash over again via Jermaine McGillvary and Aaron Murphy to all-but seal victory.

Late drama saw Roby denied by the video referee.