Australian stand-off Trent Barrett scored his first Super League hat-trick as Wigan won at Salford for the second time in six weeks to consolidate their place in the top four.

Salford had no answer to the scheming of half-backs Barrett and Thomas Leuluai, although prop forward Andy Coley demonstrated just why he is a target for Wigan coach Brian Noble with a barnstorming first-half display.

The Reds matched the Warriors stride for stride for most of the first half but crucially conceded tries either side of half-time and hooker Shane Millard sealed their fate with two tries in a five-minute spell around the hour mark.

Wigan ran in nine tries in all against the worst defence in Super League and Pat Richards kicked seven conversions to leave Salford rooted to the foot of the table.

Coley, out of contract at the Reds this year and likely to be tempted by the chance to move to the JJB Stadium, increased his value by charging over for a couple of identical tries inside 10 minutes as Wigan failed to stop his charges from 10 metres out.

He looked to have clinched a remarkable hat-trick inside the first quarter but referee Richard Silverwood disallowed his third effort for a forward pass.

Coley's determination and desire summed up Salford's performance as they three times fought back to level the scores after going behind, the first time with just 24 seconds on the clock.

Wigan made a dream start when prop Stuart Fielden re-gathered the ball from Chris Ashton's kick-off after it rebounded off a post and it was was worked out wide for centre Phil Bailey to cross for the opening try.

Barrett was just as devastating as Coley, jinking his way over for a classic solo score after 12 minutes and crossing again 12 minutes following a diagonal run.

The Warriors were pegged back for a third time when Kevin McGuinness, chasing a speculative kick ahead from Stuart Littler, was rewarded with a kind bounce and sent loose forward Simon Finnigan in for a try.

John Wilshere added his third conversion to level matters at 18-18 but Wigan struck again just before the interval when Leuluai went over for his side's fourth try.

Pat Richards kicked his fourth conversion to make it 24-18 and this time there was no time for the home side to hit back.

The action continued at the same fast and furious pace in the second half and Wigan picked up from where they left off just before the break with another well-created try.

This time hooker Micky Higham tormented the Salford defence with a weaving run and substitute second-rower Harrison Hansen was unstoppable from 10 metres out as he ran onto his pass.

Richards maintained his accuracy with a fifth conversion as the Warriors opened up a two-score lead for the first time.

And it got even better for the visitors after 52 minutes when the ever-dangerous Leuluai broke clear to send Barrett over for a try that completed his hat-trick.

Salford pulled a try back five minutes later through centre Aaron Moule but any hope of a sustained fightback was snuffed out by Millard, who twice forced his way from acting half-back.

And young centre substitute Darrell Goulding brought up the half-century of points with Wigan's ninth try six minutes from the end.