Wigan continue great escape

Wigan?s bid for the great escape continued to gather momentum with a fifth straight engage Super League win, 20-12, that lifted them clear of the relegation zone for the first time for four months.

It took the Warriors more than an hour to grind down a gritty Salford side that recovered well from the loss of captain Malcolm Alker but wins are more important than performances for Brian Noble?s men.

Six points adrift of their nearest rivals just six weeks ago, Wigan are now 10th in the table, just a point behind seventh-placed Harlequins.

The result leaves Salford still searching for their first win at the JJB Stadium but they rallied after going 10-0 behind after 24 minutes and never gave up despite seeing Alker limp out of the action four minutes into the second half.

The Reds were forced to defend for long periods and prop forward Andy Coley put his side under early pressure by twice losing possession deep in his own half.

Coley, one man hoping to impress Wigan and Great Britain boss Brian Noble, also lost the ball in a three-man tackle at the other end of the field as he attempted to cross the tryline.

That was the nearest Salford came to scoring until a grubber kick from Luke Robinson bounced awkwardly short of the Wigan line and substitute Ryan Clayton scored with his first touch.

Before then, Wigan had fully deserved their 10-0 lead, courtesy of two tries created by the clever kicking game of in-form half-backs Danny Orr and Michael Dobson.

Second rower Bryan Fletcher touched down Orr?s deft punt on 14 minutes while 10 minutes later winger Brett Dallas followed up Dobson?s kick to the corner following a splendid break by hooker Wayne Godwin.

Wigan almost scored again when Orr got Dallas into his stride but Salford full-back David Hodgson chased him down and his inside pass was intercepted by John Wilshere.

It was a similar story in the second half, with Wigan dominating possession and territory but Salford refusing to yield to the mounting pressure.

The Warriors almost scored from another Dobson grubber, with former Salford centre Nathan McAvoy failing to ground the ball over the line.

The Reds? cause looked a lost one when Alker went off but they redoubled their efforts and got to within two points on 52 minutes when centre Aaron Moule took Robinson?s pass and pulled out of Mark Calderwood?s attempted tackle to touch down.

Stephen Myler failed to add to his first-half conversion but he tied the scores with a simple penalty six minutes later after Wigan skipper Sean O?Loughlin was punished for a high tackle on Robinson.

Salford substitute Gareth Haggerty was then pulled up for a high tackle on Orr and Dobson maintained his focus to curl in a 30-metre penalty that restored Wigan?s lead.

And Orr had the final say when he finished off a break by man of the match Fletcher for the all-important try 11 minutes from time and Dobson maintained his 100% record with a fourth goal.

Wigan: Ashton, Calderwood, Radlinski, McAvoy, Dallas, Orr, Dobson, Paleaaesina, Higham, Fielden, Hock, Fletcher, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Logan, Godwin, Hansen, Tickle.

Salford: Hodgson, Langi, McGuinness, Moule, Wilshere, Myler, Robinson, Lima, Alker, Rutgerson, Littler, Coley, Charles.
Replacements: Clayton, Adamson, Haggerty, Highton.

Wigan: (12) 20.
Tries: Fletcher, Dallas, Orr.
Goals: Dobson 4.

Salford: (6) 12.
Tries: Clayton, Moule.
Goals: Myler 2.

Referee: R Silverwood (Dewsbury)

Att: 13,630

Source: www.superleague.co.uk