Wigan Warriors come from behind against Salford in dramatic fashion to extend unbeaten start to 2024

Wigan came from behind to claim a 22-12 victory over Salford

Matt Peet’s champions had found themselves 12-10 down with 10 remaining - and a man down after Harry Smith was sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul on Ryan Brierley.

But two late tries saw the Warriors extend their unbeaten start to the season at the Salford Community Stadium.

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Wigan welcomed back their big-name stars following the win over London Broncos, with French, Harry Smith, Liam Marshall and Kaide Ellis all returning.

Liam Byrne started following a slight hip issue that saw him miss the two previous wins over Huddersfield and the Broncos respectively.

It was a sloppy affair in the first half, with neither team able to get into a good rhythm in attack with errors aplenty.

The last time Wigan had gone into a half at 0-0, they went on to lose 8-0 - a play-off defeat against Leeds back in 2022 which turned out to be Adrian Lam’s final game in charge.

And it was looking scoreless until a last-minute score from returning Marshall.

The winger chased down a grubber kick close to the line from full-back Jai Field for his sixth try of the season to give the Warriors a 4-0 advantage at the break, with Smith unable to convert from wide.

Fellow winger Abbas Miski then extended the lead just five minutes into the second 40, crossing thanks to a superb cut-out pass from French to finish in the corner in front of the travelling supporters.

But Salford quickly turned the game with their own back-to-back tries. The first for Sam Stone who grounded a grubber kick, before Tim Lafai crossed in the corner with Marc Sneyd converting both scores.

From bad to worse as half-back Smith was then sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul on opposition full-back Brierley as it looked like Wigan were about to fall to their first defeat of the year.

However, Salford’s own-goal allowed the Warriors to retake the lead in the final minutes. A short goal-line drop-out could not be collected by the Red Devils, with Wardle collecting the loose ball to cross from 10 metres out.

And magic French sealed the victory on the hooter with a solo effort close to the line for a 22-12 score, with Adam Keighran converting the final two scores.