Dave Furner's penalty five minutes from time helped Wigan snatch a draw and prevent Castleford registering a third successive Super League win for the first time in almost two years.

Wigan, whose third place in Super League was cemented by the draw, have now avoided defeat in five meetings with the Tigers since coach Stuart Raper left Castleford for Wigan in May 2001.

Wigan had looked destined for defeat after battling back from 10 points down to take a six-point lead, only to allow Castleford back into the game.

Tigers' stand-off Danny Orr kicked through from 40 metres and won a thrilling chase to the touch-down and Wayne Bartrim's conversion edged the home side two points ahead with 13 minutes remaining.

That touchdown was registered when Wigan, who went into the match deprived of Julian O'Neill, Andrew Farrell, Paul Johnson, Kris Radlinski, David Hodgson, and Brett Dallas, were down to 12 men following the sin-binning of full-back Gary Connolly for holding down.

Wigan had previous lost influential Adrian Lam, who had been carried off after a late tackle by Castleford prop Dean Sampson.

Wigan however, put that set-back behind them when Terry Newton crossed early in the second half with a touchdown for David Furner to convert and give them the lead. Furner extended that advantage with a try of his own soon after.

Castleford, however, could feel aggrieved at the decision to allow Furner's late penalty, Orr penalised for punching Wigan prop Terry O'Connor in retaliation.

Castleford had shot into their early lead with a sixth-minute touchdown for impressive winger Jon Wells, who pounced on a cross kick by Orr. Bartrim failed with the touchline conversion attempt.

Wells extended the lead, finishing off fine approach work by loose-forward Lee Harland, Orr and Mitch Healey. Bartrim added the extras from the touchline.

Wigan, however, hit back with a try for Martin Aspinwall in their first serious attack and reduced the deficit when Furner, who had been unable to convert, landed a long-range penalty after Bartrim was penalised for a high tackle on O'Connor.