Pat Richards is still the top points scorer in this season's Super League
Pat Richards' boot was the difference between the two sides as leaders Wigan held on to win the final Super League derby at Knowsley Road.
Wigan had not beaten St Helens on their own patch since September 2003.
But, despite Saints pegging back a 16-0 deficit with two tries in nine minutes from Ade Gardner and Tony Puletua against 12 men, Wigan responded well.
Having improved tries from Darrell Goulding and Iafeta Paleaaesina, Richards sealed it with his fifth goal.
And, although the sin-binning of Amos Roberts almost proved crucial as Saints scored twice in nine minutes, the Super League pacesetters' defence held firm to stay two points clear of Warrington.
St Helens, due to move out of their 120-year-old ground at the end of the season, desperately wanted to mark the occasion with a victory in front of another 17,500 full house.
But Michael Maguire's in-form Warriors used the wind and driving rain at their backs to establish a 14-0 half-time lead, increased by the unflappable Richards' early second-half penalty. And Mick Potter's Saints simply gave themselves too much to do.
Richards, the league's leading points scorer, gave the visitors an early lead with the first of five successful kicks, a penalty awarded for ball-stealing.
And, although Wigan, already without Cameron Phelps, Harrison Hansen and Mark Riddell, were forced into a reshuffle after losing centre George Carmont, they seized control with two tries in four minutes.
The first came after defensive blunders allowed winger Darrell Goulding to score for the sixth game running, his eighth try of the season.
Burly prop Paleaaesina, recalled after a three-match absence, then stretched out an arm to power over from 10 metres out for his first try of the campaign.
After Richards' boot had stretched Wigan into a 16-point lead, Saints needed a break. And they got it when visiting full-back Roberts was sent to the sin bin for delaying a play-the-ball.
After one near miss, the home side rapidly made the extra man count when Kyle Eastmond's high kick to the corner found winger Gardner unmarked to claim his third try of the season.
Eastmond added a touchline conversion and the deficit was down to just six points when prop Puletua forced his way over from close range, shortly after being held up on his back.
The momentum remained with St Helens even after Roberts' return, Francis Meli getting over in the corner only to be recalled for a forward pass.
Wigan had let slip a 20-0 lead against Bradford in their only defeat of the season a month ago.
But, although there were a few more anxious moments until Richards edged them two scores in front again seven minutes from the end, this time Maguire's men held out.
And Wigan were left celebrating inside the enemy camp for the first time since September 2003.
St Helens coach Mick Potter said:
"We had our chances but we're a little disappointed with our execution. We got over the line a few times and went close on others and it cost us.
"It was back to winter rugby and we got bogged down a bit in the first half. It was difficult to get any roll-on.
"We couldn't do what we had practised. We had to scramble in the second half and we weren't good enough to capitalise on the opportunities we created."
Wigan coach Michael Maguire said:
"Since I landed, when I walked into my first pub, everybody told me if I didn't win anything but we beat St Helens, they'd be happy with me.
"I definitely felt the passion. The people around me were all getting stuck into me. It was rather good fun actually. It was quite an unusual welcome but it was one of the most amazing atmospheres from a game I've experienced.
"There were a few nerves when we were down to 12 men but it was an outstanding effort from the boys to hang in."
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?