Warrington claimed a hard fought victory to climb above relegation rivals Wakefield on Sunday.

The win pushed Wolves third from bottom, above both the Wildcats and Salford.

But Warrington boss David Plange admitted the game could have gone either way.

"But full credit to Wakefield who showed tremendous commitment and stuck to their task."

Wakefield boss Peter Roe was disappointed his charges could not force themselves into the game more.

"It was a tremendous effort but we didn't finish off our chances," he added.

"It was a hard pill for my players to swallow after the departure of Ben Westwood and Nathan Wood to Warrington."

The visitors swept into a third-minute lead when winger Neil Law crossed unopposed thanks to a Brad Davis kick.

And the Wildcats almost went further ahead by Kris Tassell lost the ball over the line after a double tackle by David Alstead and Lee Briers.

Warrington finally got ontot the scoreboard to snatch a 6-4 lead in the 29th minute when a Briers kick was charged down by Tom O'Reilly, allowing centre Danny Halliwell to cross.

But Wakefield drew level 6-6 at the break after a Briers drop out from under the posts sailed straight into touch and Graham Law accepted the penalty.

Sid Domic forced his way over before hooker Jon Clarke touched down with Rob Smyth adding both conversions.

Warrington had prop Dale Laughton sin-binned in the 52nd minute for holding down Davis after his 70-yard burst.

Wakefield refused to concede defeat, however, and cut the gap to 18-12 when Davis won the race from Moana's kick.

Law added his second goal from three attempts.

Tassell had a try disallowed for Wakefield who piled on the pressure in the closing stages in front of 5,006 fans.

But Warrington sealed victory in injury-time when Halliwell scorched in from 40-yards to allow Smyth to gleefully add the extras.

Warrington: Alstead, Smyth, Halliwell, Burns, Rivett, Briers, O'Reilly, Hilton, Clarke, Laughton, Fozzard, Wood, Domic.
Replacements: Marquet, Guisset, Appo, Callan.

Wakefield: Frew, N. Law, Tassell, Haughey, Hassan, Moana, Davis, Keating, March, Jackson, Ellis, Slattery, G. Law.
Replacements: Wrench, Field.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham)