Wigan missed out on the chance to move into second place in Super League after their first defeat for three months at the hands of Hull at The Boulevard.

It ended their 12-match unbeaten run and with it a realistic chance to finish top of the table.

Hull achieved their victory despite the absence of five regulars through injury.

But they turned adversity to their advantage with Richard Horne, switched from stand-off to full-back in the absence of Steve Prescott, the star of the show.

He secured victory with his second try of the match in a breath-taking finish.

Hull's surprise win lifts them above Leeds into fourth place and strengthens their chance of securing a home tie in the end-of-season play-offs.

It was Tony Smith, the former Great Britain scrum-half and Hull's acting captain, who did the early damage, scoring one try and having another disallowed.

But Hull made a dreadful start with Wigan's Julian O'Neill going over for an early try which he converted himself.

Hull gradually clawed their way back into the game with Smith pouncing on a kick to the line from half-back partner Paul Cooke.

The visitors soaked up the pressure and hit back on 27 minutes through skipper Andy Farrell.

Crowther brought Hull level with two successful penalties after Craig Smith and Lam had been pulled up for infringements.

However, O'Neill edged Wigan back in front by the interval with an injury-time goal after Hull substitute Garreth Carvell was penalised.

Hull dominated the early exchanges of the second half and took the lead for the first time thanks to an opportunist try from Horne, who jinked his way over from short range.

Crowther added the conversion and added two more penalties to put his side 20-12 ahead.

Wigan winger Jamie Ainscough was sent to the sin bin for holding Horne down in the tackle and Carvell joined him soon after when he was punished for holding down in the tackle.

Wigan took advantage with Irishman Brian Carney going over for a try which was converted by O'Neill to cut the gap to two points.

Wigan pushed forward seeking a match-winning score with Horne and Raynor denying Lam and Radlinski.

But it was Hull who had the final say with Horne pouncing for the winner after a break by Cooke.

Hull: R. Horne, Raynor, Kohe'Love, Mackay, Crowther, Cooke, T. Smith, Greenhill, Jackson, King, Maher, Fletcher, Chester.
Replacements: Carvell, Poucher, Parker, Yeaman.

Wigan: Radlinski, Carney, Hodgson, Connolly, Ainscough, O'Neill, Lam, O'Connor, Newton, C. Smith, Cassidy, Furner, Farrell.
Replacements: Howard, Tickle, M. Smith, O'Loughlin.

Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington)