Bradford survived a tense finish to prevent Wigan moving second in the Super League table.

The Bulls blazed ahead after tries from Semi Tadulala, Shontayne Hape and Ben Jeffries in the first 15 minutes.

Wigan responded through Pat Richards and Phil Bailey in the second half but James Evans settled the win for the hosts in the last minute.

Evans score a try out wide after a break down the right and Paul Deacon - restored as kicker - converted.

Trent Barrett, whose future with Wigan has been the subject of speculation, began the game on the bench to ease his return after minor knee surgery but he was soon in the thick of the action.

Tadulala claimed the first when Glenn Morrison put him over in the corner after six minutes and Hape doubled the advantage with a storming run from a David Solomona pass.

Terry Newton then created the third when his kick bounced kindly behind the posts for Jeffries to pounce.

Wigan's defence proved tougher in the second half and Richards then offered the visitors hope by sneaking a try in the corner just after the hour.

They set up a tense finish with a controversial second try as the Bulls thought Gareth Hock had knocked on and then there seemed a suspicion of a forward pass before Bailey touched down.

Bradford coach Steve McNamara:

"I thought we were very good from start to finish.

"We scored enough points in dreadful conditions and I thought we defended stoutly enough to prevent Wigan from creating enough chances.

"It was probably as well as we have controlled a game. We were very disciplined in everything we did."

Wigan coach Brian Noble:

"We did some positive things but we didn't start well - the scoreline is a fair reflection.

"To go 16-0 down against a quality team was a too much of a mountain to climb.

"But, having said that, at 18-12 with six or seven minutes to go, I fancied us for another score."

Bradford: Halley, Evans, Sykes, Hape, Tadulala, Jeffries, Deacon, Lynch, Newton, Burgess, Solomona, Langley, Morrison.
Replacements: Nero, Finnigan, Kopczak, Harris.

Wigan: Mathers, Colbon, Goulding, Carmont, Richards, O'Loughlin, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Coley, Hansen, Bailey, J. Tomkins.
Replacements: Hock, Paleaaesina, O'Carroll, Barrett.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield)