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Two tries in three minutes saw Wigan fight back to claim victory after
Bradford had given them a scare in the first half.
Super League leaders Bradford were 8-2 ahead at the interval thanks to
a try from acting captain James Lowes.
But just as the Bulls looked on course for the win that would have
clinched top spot ahead of the play-offs, Wigan winger Brett Dallas and
full-back Kris Radlinski turned the match on its head.
The win takes Wigan level with Bradford on 41 points, but the Bulls
have a superior points difference and remain favourites to top the table
with two games left.
It was a particularly enjoyable evening for Radlinski who looked back
to his best after securing a new contract with the Warriors during the
week.
"I think he's glad he stayed, especially after scoring in front of his
home-town fans," said Wigan coach Stuart Raper.
"It was good to see him get a try and end a good week for him. He's
felt a lot more relaxed this week. All we have to talk about is rugby
league and not worry about anything else."
Bradford made a strong start to the match and went ahead when Lowes
forced his way over from dummy half in the 17th minute.
Henry Paul added the conversion and the Bulls increased their lead when
Paul Deacon kicked a drop goal on 28 minutes.
Wigan were second best for much of the opening period but Andy Farrell
kept them in the hunt with a penalty on 37 minutes, equalling his own
League record of 151 in a season.
The Bulls seemed to have reinforced their superiority when Lowes kicked
a drop goal just before the break, but the Warriors were not done.
Right winger Dallas beat Leon Pryce to the touchdown after Adrian Lam
had kicked from halfway, and Farrell converted to break the record for
goals in a season.
Moments later, Matthew Johns made a break through the Bradford line and
sent Radlinski over.
A conversion and another drop goal from Farrell put the game beyond
Bradford, who could only manage a second penalty from Paul in response.
"The players are beating themselves up because they blew the chance to
take two points, but that's all it is, two points," said Bradford coach
Noble.
"It's not sudden death. We're still on course for our target. We've
just got to win our last two games."
"If we had showed a bit more composure we could have won it. But it was
a fantastic game and we take a lot out of it. I'm extremely proud of the
effort from my boys."
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