Leuluai scored one of Wigan's tries

Wigan survived Richard Mathers' first-half red card to beat Wakefield and clinch a play-off spot.

Tries from Tim Smith, Thomas Leuluai and Cameron Phelps gave Wigan a 16-4 lead in reply to two early Danny Brough penalties, before Mathers' dismissal.

In a tense second period, Wakefield responded through Danny Sculthorpe, Duncan MacGillivray and Oliver Wilkes.

But Mickey Higham's score and a late touchdown from Joel Tomkins sealed the points for Brian Noble's men.

Former Leeds full-back Mathers' second red card of the campaign came two minutes before the break.

He was sent off for leading with an elbow as he attempted to fend off Wildcats back rower Jason Demetriou.

After Brough's early penalties Australian half-back Smith dummied his way through three tacklers to cross for his first try for Wigan, before switching play beautifully to allow Leuluai to side-step his way over by the posts.

Two conversions by Pat Richards gave the Warriors a 12-4 advantage, before Phelps notched Wigan's third try after good work by Mike McIlorum down the right.

But Mathers' red card provided Wakefield with renewed impetus and the visitors were back on level terms within 10 minutes of the restart as Sculthorpe crashed over, before Brough's short ball sent over MacGillivray.

Brough converted both to lock the scores at 16-16, only for Richards to kick Wigan in front again after Sculthorpe went high on Higham.

The big prop was placed on report for the incident, but Higham took his revenge by burrowing over to allow Richards to put the Warriors eight points clear.

A converted Wilkes touchdown reduced the gap to two before another Richards penalty made it 26-22.

And Wigan sealed a hard-fought win with two minutes left when Smith kicked through for Tomkins to finally finish off Wakefield.

Wigan coach Brian Noble:

"We were well in control and probably what we did with the ball at the start of that second half gave them a bit of a sniff.

"But I thought to cut that out and to get over the try line a couple more times was pretty impressive from us.

"We kept believing and we held them out, which was good."

Wakefield coach John Kear:

"Attitude wise, it was 100% better, and we looked as though we wanted to play the game.

"We showed a bit of desire, commitment and enthusiasm and I'm very pleased with how they have turned it around in a short space of time.

"The game was there for the winning, but we looked edgy and nervous when the opportunity was there to win it."

Wigan: Mathers, Calderwood, Phelps, Carmont, Richards, Smith, Leuluai, Fielden, Higham, Coley, Bailey, Hansen, J. Tomkins.
Replacements: Paleaaesina, Colbon, McIlorum, O'Carroll.

Wakefield: Grix, Blanch, Gleeson, Atkins, Petersen, Rooney, Brough, Wilkes, Drew, Moore, Demetriou, Golden, Sculthorpe.
Replacements: MacGillivray, Bibey, Leo-Latu, Bibb.

Att: 12,319.

Referee: B Thaler (Wakefield).