Phelps is congratulated after scoring his second try

Wigan (17) 23
Tries: Phelps (2), Colbon, Goulding Goals: Richards 3 Drop-goals: Richards

Leeds (0) 22
Tries: McGuire, Hall, Senior, Ellis Goals: Sinfield (2), Burrow

Wigan survived a late Leeds comeback to boost their Super League play-off hopes with a superb win at the JJB Stadium.

In a pulsating match, Wigan took a 17-0 half-time lead thanks to two Cameron Phelps tries within the first 10 minutes and a third from Liam Colbon.

Danny McGuire crossed early after the break but Wigan responded with Darrell Goulding going over in the 59th minute.

Ryan Hall, Keith Senior and Gareth Ellis scored for Leeds, and Rob Burrow missed a last-minute 40m penalty.

The defeat was the defending champions' third in four matches.

Phelps, recently signed from Canterbury Bulldogs, gave Wigan the perfect start with two tries on his home debut.

The winger gathered Trent Barrett's probing kick for his first, which Pat Richards converted, and evaded the tackles of Brent Webb and Hall to score for a 10-0 lead.

606: DEBATE What a game, both Leeds and Wigan proved why they are 2 of the best sides in super league Abrummierhino

A minute before the break Richards kicked what ultimately proved to be a decisive drop goal to make it 17-0 to Wigan and left Leeds staring at a humiliating defeat.

But Burrow sparked the Rhinos into action after the break with a spectacular run from his own half which gave the supporting McGuire an easy run to the line. Kevin Sinfield converted to make it 17-6.

A Richards penalty extended Wigan's lead and the visitors seemed down and out when Goulding evaded two would-be tacklers for the Warriors' fourth try.

Leeds, however, did not give up the fight and three tries in nine minutes brought them within a point of the Warriors.

McGuire's long pass released Hall for the corner to set the try frenzy into motion, and three minutes later winger Scott Donald flicked back Burrow's chip kick for Senior to touch down.

Sinfield converted and then in an amazing turnaround a McGuire pass clumsily found Ellis.

In the final minute Leeds were awarded a controversial penalty and with Sinfield having left the field with an injured knee, kicking duties were transferred to Burrow. But the diminutive half-back was off target and the Warriors breathed a sigh of relief.

Leeds coach Brian McClennan:

"You want to win those close games. I know we've been involved in what you would regard as a great game but to lose is hard to take.

"The first 20 minutes, we were indisciplined and that's something that has got to improve. Going down 16-0 is what cost us the game.

"Rob Burrow is a fantastic player and I am disappointed he was put in that position."

Wigan coach Brian Noble:

"They really ripped into us towards the end but I thought we had done enough in the first 55 or 60 minutes, so we would have been disappointed if we had lost.

"The drop-goal just before half-time was probably a smart play in the end.

"The front row was good again. Stuart Fielden is back to something like international form and Andy Coley has showed why he was in the international set-up at the back end of last year."

Wigan: Richards, Calderwood, Goulding, Carmont, Phelps, Barrett, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Coley, Hansen, Tomkins, Hock

Replacements: Colbon, McIlorum, O'Carroll, Tuson

Leeds: Webb, Hall, Ellis, Senior, Donald, McGuire, Burrow, Leuluai, Diskin, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Lauitiiti, Sinfield

Replacements: Smith, Bailey, Burgess, Allan

Attendance: 22,000

Referee: A Klein (London)