Wigan rested Andy Farrell and almost paid for the absence of their star man after a spirited performance of relegation-haunted Wakefield at the JJB Stadium.

The scoreline did not do the Wildcats justice after they had provided stubborn opposition and threatened to pull off a shock.

The decision to afford Farrell a day off nearly backfired, with the Warriors clearly missing his leadership against a fully-committed Wildcats' side.

It had looked bleak for Wakefield when Wigan ran in three early tries but by half-time the lead was down to 16-8.

New boy Danny Tickle, the 19-year-old back-rower snapped up from Halifax for �100,000, marked his debut by setting up the Warriors opener for Irish winger Brian Carney with a slick inside pass after a 40-metre break.

Forwards Terry O'Connor, making his 150th Super League appearance, and David Furner did the spadework to lay on the second for full back Kris Radlinski.

But Trinity kept themselves alive when stand off Martin Moana hoisted a high kick to the corner and Neil Law snapped it up to touchdown with Ian Knott landing his second goal of the half.

Wigan struck again when Paul Johnson scored after a length-of-the-field break by Carney but the Wildcats battled back with tries from Moana and David March to cut the gap to 20-18.

But stand-in captain Adrian Lam finally eased Wigan's worries, darting in for the killer try before Carney grabbed his second to make it safe.

Wigan: Radlinski, Carney, Johnson, Hodgson, Dallas, O'Neill, Lam, O'Connor, Newton, C. Smith, Tickle., Cassidy, Furner. Replacements: Ainscough, Bibey, Connolly, M. Smith.

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

Referee: Richard Silverwood (Dewsbury).