A last-gasp drop goal from Mason Lino proved the difference at The DIY Kitchens Stadium as Leeds Rhinos fell to a 15-14 defeat against Wakefield Trinity.

A try from Jarrod O’Connor in the final 15 minutes looked to have set Leeds up for a result, but a score from Matt Storton and Lino’s decisive one-pointer stole the win for Daryl Powell’s side.

The Rhinos made two changes from the win over Salford, with Jack Sinfield and Ben Littlewood included on the bench in place of Andy Ackers and Cameron Smith. Both had impressed in the club’s Reserves in recent weeks and were given a chance to step up against Trinity. Winger Ryan Hall also marked his 350th Rhinos appearance, 18 years after his club debut against Bradford in 2007.

With a win apiece from two meetings this season, both teams got stuck into the contest early, each looking to gain the upper hand. Brodie Croft had the best early chance as he ran the ball on the last, but his pass inside for Lachie Miller didn’t find the full-back’s hands, and the opportunity went begging. Moments later, a high shot from the Leeds half-back proved costly. Off the back of a set restart, Wakefield pushed close to the Leeds line and Croft raced out to meet Mason Lino, but the challenge was high and referee James Kendall showed him a yellow card.

Max Jowitt slotted the resulting penalty, and Trinity quickly extended their lead soon after as Lachlan Walmsley finished in the corner to make it 6-0 after 15 minutes.

Leeds needed a break and found one through Jake Connor, who intercepted a Jake Trueman pass to swing momentum the visitors’ way. After earning a penalty for holding down, Connor pointed to the posts and knocked over the goal to narrow the score to 6-2.

But the home side soon recovered. Josh Griffin dabbed a kick over the top, but the returning Croft did well to beat the chasing Trinity players to the ball. From the drop-out, a high tackle from Connor on Harvey Smith allowed Jowitt to add two more points, making it 8-2 after 29 minutes. Trinity nearly struck again through Corey Hall and Jowitt on a breakaway, but Trueman’s forward pass to Oliver Pratt brought the attack to a halt.

Leeds turned up the pressure just before the break. Croft forced a drop-out with a grubber for Newman to chase, and the resulting field position paid off. Sam Lisone, fresh off the bench, powered over with two minutes remaining. Connor added the extras to level the score at 8-8 heading into half-time.

The second half resumed in much the same fashion — physical and tense. Walmsley nearly broke through after gathering a short kick on the last from Croft, while Leeds responded by pinning Trinity in their own half, though without reward.

A blow for the Rhinos came when Connor left the field with an eye injury, bringing Sinfield into the action. Sensing an opportunity, Trinity shifted play wide, but Walmsley and Jayden Myers both came up short.

With the deadlock holding into the final quarter, an offload error from Newman handed possession back to Trinity. A high tackle on Pratt then gave Jowitt a shot at goal, but his effort was pulled wide, a let-off for the visitors.

Leeds capitalised. After an offside call, strong carries from Lisone and Kallum Watkins set the platform before O’Connor dived over from dummy half to score his first try of the season.

Trinity hit back through Matty Storton, who crashed over under the posts to level the scores once more, setting up a tense finale. Croft had a chance to win it with a drop goal as the clock hit the final minute, but the attempt sailed wide. From the resulting seven-tackle set, Wakefield worked upfield, and Lino slotted the match-winning drop goal in the dying seconds to secure the two league points.

Teams

Trinity

1. Max Jowitt, 2. Lachlan Walmsley, 4. Corey Hall, 19. Oliver Pratt, 30. Jayden Myers, 6. Jake Trueman, 20. Mason Lino, 8. Mike McMeeken (C), 28. Harvey Smith, 31. Caius Faatilli, 3. Cameron Scott, 12. Josh Griffin, 13. Jay Pitts

Subs: 11. Seth Nikotemo, 16. Renouf Atoni, 17. Matty Storton, 23. Josh Rourke (18^th Man – 7. Oliver Russell)

Tries: Walmsley (13), Storton (73)

Goals: Jowitt 3/3

Drop Goal: Lino (79)

Rhinos

1. Lachie Miller, 21. Alfie Edgell, 4. Ash Handley (CC), 3. Harry Newman, 5. Ryan Hall, 6. Brodie Croft, 18. Jake Connor, 10. Keenan Palasia, 14. Jarrod O’Connor, 17. Cooper Jenkins, 11. James Bentley, 12. James McDonnell, 28. Kallum Watkins

Subs: 15. Sam Lisone, 20. Jack Sinfield, 24. Ben Littlewood,  29. Presley Cassell (18^th Man – 23. Riley Lumb)

Tries: Lisone (38), O’Connor (68)

Goals: Connor 2/2, Sinfield 1/1