A late try by Joel Tomkins settled the game as the Warriors secured a 32-22 win.

But they had to work overtime in the second-half to cover for the loss of Richard Mathers.

The full-back was shown a red card on the stroke of half-time for leading with his arm.

Mathers looked stunned when he was ordered from the pitch – and most of the fans seemed to think it was a harsh call from Ben Thaler.

After a shaky start in which they went 4-0 down, Wigan fought back to score 16 unanswered points and looked firmly in control until Mathers' dismissal.

Tim Smith made his full home debut after Trent Barrett failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time.

Danny Brough kicked Wakefield – who only arrived at the ground half-an-hour before kick-off because of a motorway hold-up – into a 4-0 lead.

But after a stuttering spell, Wigan took the lead in the 19th minute when Smith carved through the defence to grab his first try for the club, Pat Richards' goal making it 6-4 in the home side's favour.

Minutes later Thomas Leuluai jinked over and Richards' goal opened up an eight point advantage.

And Wigan, with Stuart Fielden leading the forward pack superbly, went further ahead as centre Cameron Phelps swept through to make it 16-4 on the half-hour mark.

Wakefield were thrown a lifeline, though, when three minutes before half-time Mathers, who had been enjoying a solid game, was shown a red card for leading with the forearm – much to the shock of the Wigan fans in the JJB Stadium.

It was the second time Mathers had been sent off this season, following a dismissal at Warrington earlier this campaign for a high shot on Matt King.

Wakefield's confidence was boosted by the decision, and shortly after the re-start Danny Sculthorpe's try – converted by Brough – closed the score to 16-10.

Momentum was with the visitors and from the next play, Brough opened up the Wigan defence with ease and from the next tackle, Duncan MacGilvray dived over with Brough's goal pulling the score level.

Sculthorpe's high challenge on Micky Higham allowed Richards the chance to edge Wigan 18-16 ahead in the 57th minute.
And then Higham burrowed his way over from close range, Richards' goal making it 24-16.

But the Wildcats failed to give in and another ex-Wigan player, Oliver Wilkes, crossed for a try that Brough converted to make it 24-22.

Gradually, the Warriors retook control as Richards kicked a penalty to extend their lead to four points with seven minutes remaining.

And Joel Tomkins secured the win when he coolly collected Smith's measured kick, Richards adding the goal to make it 32-22.

Wigan: Mathers; Calderwood, Phelps, Carmont, Richards; Smith, Leuluai; Fielden, Higham, Coley, Bailey, Hansen, Tomkins. Subs: Paleaaesina, Colbon, McIlorum, O'Carroll.

Wakefield: Grix; Blanch, Gleeson, Atkins, Petersen; Rooney, Brough; Wilkes, Drew, Moore, Demetriou, Golden, Sculthorpe. Subs: MacGillivray, Bibey, Leo-Latu, Bibb.