Wigan hit back to edge youthful Warrington

Liam Marshall's 13th try of the Super League season was a spectacular score in the corner

Betfred Super League

Warrington (12) 18

Tries: Lindop, Drinkwater, Ratchford Goals: Ratchford 3

Wigan (19) 19

Tries: Nsemba, Marshall, Leeming Goals: Keighran 3 Drop: Smith

Wigan Warriors fought back from 12-0 down and survived a late rally with 12 men to edge out a youthful Warrington Wolves and move level on points with Super League leaders St Helens.

The reigning champions seemed stunned as a Wolves side featuring 11 changes played with freedom and took control of a pulsating rehearsal of next week's Challenge Cup final with tries by Arron Lindop and Josh Drinkwater.

But 19 unanswered Wigan points in 17 minutes, including a stunning score in the corner by Super League's top try scorer Liam Marshall, turned the game around by the break.

Warrington refused to be cowed and stayed in an increasingly nervy game to set up a grandstand finish when Wigan's Adam Keighran was sent off for an ugly shoulder charge into Lindop with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Stefan Ratchford crossed for a third Wire try, all set up by Josh Drinkwater, but Wigan held out for a precious success which left them second behind Saints in the table on points difference, but with a game in hand.

Keighran's ill-disciplined moment did not cost his side as Warriors secured a 10th win in 12 league games.

But it means his participation in the Wembley showpiece on 8 June is in serious doubt, with the Rugby Football League's match review panel convening on Monday to review the incident.

Wigan will move top if they win their game in hand, while Wolves are in joint third place with Hull KR, two points adrift of the leading duo.

Warrington-born teenager Arron Lindop's early try set the tone for a thrilling afternoon at the Halliwell Jones Stadium

Warrington boss Sam Burgess described his line-up as a "calculated selection gamble" and it nearly proved a masterstroke as debutants Cai Taylor-Wray, Nolan Tupaea and Jake Thewlis all impressed, matching unquestionable spirit with obvious quality against far more experienced opposition.

A blistering start lifted a raucous home crowd and instilled a belief that remained throughout a game that was in the balance until the end.

Wigan could have been ahead inside a minute had Marshall not stepped fractionally into touch following a Connor Wrench handling error from a long kick.

Ratchford's straightforward goal put Wire ahead and then two delightful Drinkwater kicks set up tries as the home side extended the lead to 12-0.

Lindop benefited from the first, collecting a perfectly weighted tap through.

And Drinkwater then gathered his own delicate kick through as the hosts pressured the Wigan line following a great offload by Max Wood.

French leads Wigan fightback

The rested Wolves players celebrated their lightning start from the stands, but Wigan retaliated in style.

Junior Nsemba had too much strength as he barged through Drinkwater and over the line to get Wigan on the board with his third try in three games before Marshall's superb flying finish in the corner from Harry Smith's fine pass.

Keighran's second exquisite touchline kick levelled the scores and a typically classy Bevan French break exploited a gap in the Wolves defence and he found Kruise Leeming on the inside for a third converted try.

A last-gasp Smith drop-goal - ultimately crucially - made it 19-12 at the interval.

But any thoughts that the nous and quality in the away ranks would overpower Warrington never materialised.

Following Keighran's straight red card, Drinkwater's third superbly-judged kick enabled Ratchford to touch down with two minutes left and bring hope of a fifth consecutive Wire victory, but Warriors saw out the remaining time.

Post-match reaction

Warrington coach Sam Burgess on Keighran red card and his side's display:

"I don't want to add fuel to it. We all saw it.

"I don't like seeing players miss finals; it dilutes the contest. We want them to have all their players and the best team possible. We want to see a good contest at Wembley.

"But there is a system and a process there and we'll see what happens this week.

"I thought it was a good game to watch. It could have gone either way at the end.

"I'm proud of my team and it was a good day for Warrington. They did a great job against a near full-strength Wigan."

Wigan coach Matty Peet on Keighran red card and seeing out the victory:

"There is a potential he won't play. There's always that chance when you play a game, but that is what the squad is designed for.

"If he is out I'll be very disappointed for Adam but, as far as the team is concerned, we'll move on pretty quick.

"I just gave him a pat on the back and told him to keep his head up. He's obviously disappointed but that's it.

"In the end we're relieved to get the win. There were times it looked like we might not.

"Warrington were outstanding, very committed. We were a bit off our best but credit to Warrington for making it so competitive. I had a feeling it wouldn't be straightforward and so it proved."

Warrington: Taylor-Wray, Lindop, Wrench, Tai, Thewlis, Ratchford, Drinkwater, Bullock, Powell, Wood, Holroyd, Tupaea, Whitehead.

Interchanges: Musgrove, Green, Nicholson, Hartill.

Wigan: Hampshire, Douglas, Keighran, Eckersley, Marshall, French, Smith, Havard, O'Neill, Byrn, Nsemba, Walters, Ellis.

Interchanges: Mago, Leeming, Dupree, Hill

Referee: Jack Smith.