Bradford (10) 18
Tries: Evans, B Harris
Goals: Deacon 5

Wigan returned to winning ways with a superb success over in-form Bradford.

Phil Bailey scored twice in the first half, with Trent Barrett also going over, as the home side hit back from a first-minute try for James Evans.

Paul Deacon landed five goals and Ben Harris notched the Bradford's second try to edge them ahead after the break.

But scores from Mark Calderwood and Liam Colbon, who came into the team as a late replacement for the unavailable Pat Richards, clinched the Wigan win.

Evans had given the Bulls an early lead from Deacon's cross-field kick as the Warriors tried to recover from last Sunday's defeat by Wakefield.

Deacon converted and added another penalty when he was held down in the tackle by Calderwood.

Barrett cut the lead while Chris Ashton, given the kicking duties in the absence of Richards, landed the goal.

Gareth Hock and Thomas Leuluai were stopped short, before Bailey burrowed his way over to edge his men in front at 10-8 before Deacon levelled it with another penalty.

But Bailey capitalised on a rare Deacon error to crash over for his second try just two minutes from half-time.

The Bulls were back on level terms 11 minutes into the second period when David Solomona's inside ball freed Ben Harris to cross,.

Deacon's conversion and a penalty shortly after then gave his side a four-point advantage.

But Wigan finished strongly with Calderwood going over to make it 16-16 and Ashton kicking the conversion before Colbon's try and a Barrett drop goal made it safe.

"We had some words at the beginning of the week as we normally do but I thought the enthusiasm was a whole lot better tonight.

"Even when we went 8-0 down I thought we'd get back into the game. I thought there were some really tough performances and I genuinely think we've still got some improvement in us.

"The Wigan crowd were superb - and long might that continue. They've had to put up with some less than good performances this year but in the main we have gone okay."

"We weren't good enough on the night. We were down a little bit in energy, and Wigan were a bit more energised and certainly a lot more fluent than us.

"We just have to get back on the horse. But sometimes it's even harder after a win to get back on track.

"Sometimes you invest so much time and effort into a game, it's not on purpose - but you don't have as much the week after."

Wigan: Ashton, Calderwood, Bailey, Vaealiki, Colbon, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Paleaaesina, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Prescott, Hansen, Goulding, Mcllorum.

Bradford: Platt, St Hilaire, McAvoy, Evans, Tupou, Morrison, Deacon, Vagana, Newton, Lynch, McKenna, Solomona, Langley.
Replacements: Henderson, B. Harris, Burgess, James.

Referee: S Ganson (St Helens).