Wigan 20 Salford 16

Salford battle bravely against Wigan but unfortunately a late controversial try gives Wigan the points, here is Paul Whiteside with a  look back at the game.

Salford arrived at the DW Stadium full of confidence on the back of two home wins. It was a cagey start with Gaz O Brien kicking an early penalty to give Salford the lead 0-2. The opening quarter was scrappy with both sides making mistakes from forward passes and knocking on.

Salford were very cautious and looked a little nervous. Wigan struck the first major blow with a try out wide from Oliver Gildart. Matty smith missed the conversion and Wigan lead 4-2. For the next ten minutes both sides traded sets and Salford looked dangerous making a few breaks but just coming up short. Oliver Gildart scored again after a good Wigan break as Salfords cover defence couldn't quite take him out. Matty Smith converting 10-2.

Salford continued to pepper Wigan full back Lewis Tierney with high bombs and he dealt with them brilliantly looking very assured in the full back role. Salford were unlucky to be try less at the break and trailed 10-2 at half time

It was the worst possible start to the second half as the dangerous Anthony Gelling scored for Wigan Matty Smith added the kick and wigan extended their lead to 16-2. The game now looked to be drifting away from Salford but we hung in there and a lovely grubber kick from Michael Dobson and junior sau was there to finish bravely. Kick was missed and Salford trailed 16-6.

Robert Lui started to dictate operations and cause Wigan problems and with 13 minutes left Josh Griffins scores out wide. Gaz O Briens kick fell short but the momentum seemed to be swinging to Salford who trailed 16-10.

With great play and good hands out wide Salford hammered the Wigan line. Ben Murdoch Masila followed his own superb grubber kick to clatter the Wigan defender and force a drop out.
Moments later a great ball to Masila came on to the ball like an express train to charge over and the Salford fans roar behind the posts was spine tingling!!! Josh griffin converts and was 16-16 with 7mins left.

Wigan then receive a harsh penalty and move quickly down the pitch. A knock on at the Wigan play of the ball was not spotted by referee George Stokes and in the blink of an eye Dom Manfredi finished brilliantly in the corner. Kick was missed and it was 20-16.
Gaz O Brien came up with a short kick off and Salford were again on the front foot looking to snatch at least a point! O Briens grubber kick was picked up by Wigan defender and then Salford were very harshly penalised for stealing the ball.
Wigan just about manage to hold on. On a night were both teams struggled to find there feet in a scrappy but thrilling contest Salford were unlucky to go home empty handed.
Again there were many positives to take but your heart goes out to the Salford supporters in the North stand at the final hooter. In a very close encounter at the DW stadium.

Ian Watson was disappointed with decision for the final try but was happy with the teams performance

I'm really disappointed with the way the game ended, as we should've had a share of the score at the end..We could all see that he knocked on and the fact it wasn't called up is a disappointment.'
'We gave Wigan too much respect in the first half, we sat back but second half you can see what we can do.
'It's bittersweet, we played well second half but we didn't have that finish to end it. We have to progress to finish at that level.
'The team are more disappointed that they... didn't see the game off. We had a chance at winning that.'
The team, the S & C and medical team have done really well in the short turn around.'

'Kopczak and George Griffin are doing big minutes and doing well in the middle, 'It's a step in the right direction, the team will learn from this and it's positive going forward for us.'