Wakefield 22 Wigan 23: Five things we learned

1. Wigan are back... and they're top of the league!

Victory in their comeback match, coupled with Leeds' defeat to St Helens, saw Adrian Lam's side move two points clear at the top.

There is plenty of congestion in the chasing pack and with the campaign trimmed - and only four spots in the play-offs - every win is important from here on in.

Fans have had a long time to wait to see their team back in action. It was great to see them back out there.

2. Harry Smith emerged as the unlikely hero of Wigan's first match in five months.

Unlikely, because for an hour the Warriors looked to be comfortable and in control as they led 22-6.

They were efficient and methodical in posting tries by Zak Hardaker, Bevan French and Liam Marshall before the break, with another from Jake Bibby after... who'd have predicted a thrilling finish?

3. Wakefield clawed their way back into it with a stunning try from Tom Johnstone.

He collected the ball in the air and, under pressure from makeshift winger French - who himself had earlier shown his finishing prowess - he somehow managed to ground the ball before being bundled into touch.

It was the type of brilliant individual effort which just had to be applauded, especially after so long out.

4. The game wasn't a classic, even with the nail-biting ending.

But it had enough spice and speed to please the passive viewer, and the quality was higher than it had any right to be after so long off.

Wigan lost Sean O'Loughlin before the match, Thomas Leuluai early on and then had to shuffle the side as Bevan French nursed a back injury. They coped with the adjustments well and Zak Hardaker shone in his old full-back spot. Lam will check on them tomorrow and hopes they will be fit for Saturday's match against Leeds at St Helens.

5. Before the match, players paid their own respects to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Bevan French and opponent David Fifita took a knee with the Australian Aboriginal flag draped over their backs.

The rest of the Wigan side took the knee but the Wakefield players remained stood up in a line - and coach Chris Chester candidly admitted afterwards: "We had a good, open conversation during the week.

“It was led by the captain, and we just felt that as a group that we needed some education on what the Black Lives Matter movement is.

“That’s the reason we came up with what we did."