Salford Red Devils 18 Wigan Warriors 14

They led 14-2 at half-time but crumbled under an onslaught from the Red Devils, who scored 16 unanswered points to claim only their second win of the year.

Jackson Hastings had celebrated his 100th professional appearance with the opening try against the club where he revived his career.

And with Sam Powell later crossing - and Chris Hankinson kicking three goals - they looked on course for a regulation victory.

But the game turned dramatically on its head in the second-half as the hosts roared back into the contest to first level the scores, before ex-Warrior Kevin Brown went over for the decisive try.

Still, there was time for salvage the result but, in a final roll of the dice, Dan Sarginson rushed out to cut down Bevan French and force an error.

Despite the loss the Warriors remain two points clear at the tp of the table, though - owing to postponements and Cup obligations - the number of fixtures played across the league are jagged (Wigan have played seven matches; Catalans just four).

The game was given the go-ahead despite many other events and fixtures in other sports being cancelled, postponed or played behind closed doors because of the global pandemic.

Hankinson was a late addition to the side when Zak Hardaker withdrew with a slight hamstring injury. Elsewhere, Mitch Clark and Joe Bullock stepped in for suspended props Oli Partington and Ben Flower.

Salford had ex-Warrior Sarginson back in their side as they looked for their second win on the campaign.

Wigan - wearing their alternative yellow kit for the first time - were tasked by coach Adrian Lam to make a strong start.

And they duly obliged, testing the hosts with a quick, enterprising approach.

Hankinson's fifth-minute penalty was cancelled out by a Tui Lolohea goal moments later.

But current Steve Prescott Man of Steel Hastings - who else? - helped Wigan take a grip of the contest in the 14th minute.

He showed his strong-running game, thrusting through the defensive line from a scrum-base move and - as promised - didn't celebrate his score.

Liam Farrell and Bevan French also had their chances but it wasn't all way traffic, as Lolohea prised open a gap for Niall Evalds and later, Pauli Pauli - so good they named him twice - was stopped just short.

The game appeared to be inching towards half-time with no further score when, three minutes to go, Sam Powell scooped up an offload to rush over between the sticks.

Hankinson converted and then, second before the hooter, missed a penalty to keep Wigan's lead at 14-2 at the break.

At that point, they looked to be on course to a comfortable, solid, panic-free victory.

Salford, though, had other ideas as they attacked their opponents with much more intent from the restart.

So much so, there was a sense of inevitability when Evalds punished a slack and napping defence to cross midway through the second half.

With Lolohea tagging on the extras, it cut Wigan's lead to just six points.

And while that served as a warning shot to Lam's side, their attempts to extend their advantage as Powell's kick ricocheted off the Salford line and Evalds picked up and blazed away.

Lolohea converted to lock the score and set up a tense finish few envisaged at half-time.

And with Lolohea and Rhys Williams finding gaps in a tired defence, they soon took the lead as Sarginson's left-foot step helped set up the position for another ex-Warrior, Kevin Brown, to dive over.

Lolohea missed the conversion, giving Wigan five minutes to score at least as many points to win. But Sarginson took the sting out of a late attack during some heated scenes.

Salford: Evalds; Sio, Welham, Sarginson, Williams; Lolohea, Brown; Mossop, Lussick, Yates, Lannon, Roberts, McCarthy. Subs: Pauli, Ikahihifo, Flanagan, Kear.

Wigan: French; Manfredi, Hankinson, Bibby, Marshall; Leuluai, Hastings; G Burgess, Powell, Byrne, Isa, Farrell, Smithies. Subs: Bullock, Havard, Clark, Smith.

Referee: James Child

Half-time: 2-14

Attendance: 4,796