Harry Smith kicked a 78th-minute drop goal to claim a 19-18 home win over Hull FC in an entertaining clash at the DW Stadium on Thursday night,
Hull FC did come from behind to lead 12-6 at the break but - with the scores level late on - Smith proved to be the hero, producing a result which sends Wigan top of the table as it stands.
Jai Field put the Warriors ahead after just four minutes, Zak Hardaker then kicking a penalty goal on 15 minutes for a 6-0 lead, but Hull managed to get themselves ahead before the interval.
First Adam Switft went in, before Danny Houghton benefitted from a superb team move which ended with a slick Joe Lovodua inside pass right on the brink of half time.
Luke Gale kicked both goals on his return from a five-game ban for a 12-6 interval lead.
Wigan's Ethan Havard was first to score in the second half, Hardaker's goal making it 12-all, but Hull didn't let up.
Lovodua was again influential in the visitors' next try, his clever offload sending Chris Satae over for a walk-in which Gale again converted to put Hull 18-12 up going into the final quarter.
But Jai Field was always a threat and added a second try with a breakaway score on 64 minutes. Hardaker made it three from three with the boot to level the scores and set up a dramatic finale.
Each side had an unsuccessful shot at a drop goal before Harry Smith kept his composure to strike from 30 metres out on 78 minutes and put the Warriors ahead, a 19-18 lead they never relinquished
Wigan Warriors: Jai Field; Zak Hardaker, John Bateman, Jake Bibby, Liam Marshall; Cade Cust, Harry Smith; Brad Singleton, Sam Powell, Liam Byrne; Willie Isa, Liam Farrell; Morgan Smithies.
Interchanges: Bevan French, Patrick Mago, Ollie Partington, Ethan Havard.
Hull FC: Jake Connor; Adam Swift, Mitieli Vulikijapani, Josh Griffin, Darnell McIntosh; Joe Lovadua, Luke Gale; Ligi Sao, Danny Houghton, Chris Satae; Andre Savelio, Manu Ma'u; Jordan Lane.
Interchanges: Jack Brown, Brad Fash, Jordan Johnstone, Connor Wynne.
Our League Player of the Match: Jai Field
