Wigan 42 (22)
Tries: Fletcher, Calderwood 2, Orr, McAvoy, O'Loughlin
Goals: Dobson 9

Wakefield 24 (0)
Tries: Watene, Halpenny, Solomona 2
Goals: Rooney 4

Wigan boosted their bid for Super League survival with a crucial win over fellow strugglers Wakefield that lifted them off the bottom of the table.

The Warriors took advantage of an ill-disciplined display from the Wildcats to take a 22-0 half-time lead.

Wakefield improved after the break but tries from Danny Orr, Nathan McAvoy and Sean O'Loughlin made the score 40-12.

David Solomona then crossed twice to give the Wildcats a glimmer of hope, but Wigan held on for a deserved win.

Wigan's win, their fourth in a row, lifts them off the bottom of the Super League for the first time since 24 March.

French side Catalans Dragons now occupy last place, but they are exempt from relegation for three seasons.

Wigan, who are now level on points with Wakefield, have given themselves a real lifeline with eight rounds to go.

Wakefield were on the back foot from the off, giving away a host of penalties early on and losing Michael Korkidas and Ben Jeffries to the sin-bin.

Wigan were in no mood to let the visitors off either, Mark Calderwood grabbing two tries and Bryan Fletcher adding another.

The second half was a closer contest, with Wakefield scoring tries through Colum Halpenny and Adam Watene either side of Orr's effort to make the score 28-12.

But despite Solomona making up for a mistake-ridden first half with a brace of tries, Wigan never really looked in trouble.

Wigan coach Brian Noble:
"For 50 minutes we were pretty good but I was a little bit disappointed with the way we closed the game out.

"However, I am really pleased for the players. We're working hard together, working hard at practice, and I've said from day one that if they do that we'll get more wins than losses.

"But in relation to where we need to be at the end of the year, it's certainly not the winning post by any means."

Wakefield coach Tony Smith:
"I don't want to say anything about the decisions by the referee but what went off in that first half was absolutely disgraceful.

"You can read into that what you want, but it was absolutely disgraceful. The thing is, there are people's livelihood's on the line - players and coaches alike.

"I will take my hat off to Wigan though - I thought they showed a lot of character tonight, and they showed a lot of class as well.

"But 22-0 down at half-time, the game's gone. And I've got to be very careful what I say."

Wigan: Ashton, Calderwood, Radlinski, McAvoy, Dallas, Orr, Dobson, Paleaaesina, Higham, Fielden, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin. Replacements: Logan, Godwin, Hansen, Tickle.

Wakefield: Halpenny, White, Demetriou, Atkins, Tadulala, Rooney, Jeffries, Watene, Betham, Korkidas, Solomona, Catic, J Field. Replacements: Henderson, Griffin, Elima, Obst.

Referee: A Klein (London).