A captain's performance from man-of-the-match Andy Farrell inspired Wigan to a hard-fought but ultimately well-deserved win over Bradford in a tense battle at the JJB Stadium between last season's two Tetley's Super League Grand Finalists.

Farrell had put the Warriors into an early lead, only for the visitors to peg them back with some hard work from their mammoth pack of forwards.

Late scores from Mick Cassidy, Kris Radlinski and Craig Smith, all after a little help from the Wigan skipper, saw the home side move up to third in the Super League table.

Wigan had again gone into the match with just Smith as a recognised prop forward, Farrell and Danny Tickle stepping into the breach to provide the additional go-forward in the absence of the injured Terry O'Connor and Danny Sculthorpe.

The Bulls handed Iestyn Harris his first start at stand off since his controversial return to Rugby League after a mixed spell in union, with Robbie Paul given the hooking responsibilities.

Wigan got off to a dream start when they forced a repeat set of six from the off and took full advantage when Farrell crashed over under the posts, before he added an easy two points for a 6-0 lead.

The Warriors went further ahead just four minutes later when Danny Orr released the rampaging Terry Newton down the middle, and he produced a sensational ball out the back door for Brett Dallas to walk in unopposed, Farrell again adding the extras.

The home side suffered an injury blow after just 13 minutes when Kiwi Smith limped off to be replaced by veteran second rower Cassidy, and Bradford hit back within a minute through Jamie Peacock after a neat offload by Leon Pryce.

Paul Deacon made no mistake with the conversion, before the Warriors lost their second influential overseas star in the opening quarter, Adrian Lam having to be stretchered off with what looked to be a serious ankle injury following an innocuous tackle.

Young hooker Mark Smith came on for Lam, and he was soon joined on the paddock by his namesake Craig, who had shaken off the knock that had forced him from the action.

Bradford were in the ascendancy now, however, and they levelled the scores when Lesley Vainikolo erupted down the left and slipped a beautiful final ball inside to Logan Swann to race over, Deacon again finding the mark.

Wigan ensured an interval advantage, though, when Farrell slotted over an easy penalty after Pryce was all over Dallas in the tackle deep in Bulls territory.

The Bulls nearly went over within a minute of the restart, Stuart Reardon with a super line break only for Dallas to pull off a tremendous try-saving tackle on Pryce as he looked a certain scorer.

Martin Aspinwall was then denied a try by the video referee when Dallas was adjudged to have knocked on following a short kick by Orr which caused all kinds of trouble.

The Bulls took full advantage and nudged into the lead for the first time with a touchdown by Shontayne Hape in the corner, Deacon missing a difficult kick to leave the scores delicately poised at 16-14 to the champions.

Wigan brought on Gary Connolly from the bench for Tickle, although the Warriors had to reverse the switch a short time later when Connolly's head collided with a Bradford knee, Russell Smith's awarding of a knock-on against the stricken centre only adding insult to the injury.

Wigan regained the lead at the midway point in the second half, Farrell providing the groundwork with a majestic break into open space, and Cassidy taking advantage after a brief but crucial cameo by Orr.

Farrell added the conversion to push the score out to 20-16 in what was turning out to be an absolute classic.

Wigan were denied moments later when Aspinwall's ball to Dallas in the clear was ruled forward, but they did grab a decisive score with seven minutes remaining when Radlinski was the first to react to Farrell's inch-perfect grubber kick.

Farrell again added the pressure kick to open up a 10-point lead with time running out, and completed the scoring in similar fashion after Craig Smith crashed over from Newton's short ball two minutes later.