Wigan completed a hat-trick of Headingley wins to remain on course for a return to Wembley, scene of their record eight successive Challenge Cup triumphs in their heyday of the Eighties and Nineties.

The Warriors followed up successive 20-18 away Super League victories over Leeds with success in another tense duel to book their place in Tuesday's quarter-final draw.

Australian stand-off Trent Barrett was the architect of their fifth-round win, teasing and tormenting the Leeds defence with his exciting array of ball-handling skills, while the Warriors were also indebted to the boot of Pat Richards, who landed five goals from as many attempts.

Leeds, who were the last team to win at the old Wembley, dominated the final quarter but Wigan defended heroically to keep their line intact under tremendous pressure.

The home side drew first blood five minutes into the game after running a penalty from in front of the posts when centre Clinton Toopi squeezed between Barrett and Phil Bailey for the opening try.

But it was nip and tuck throughout the first half and Wigan hit back five minutes later when full-back Chris Ashton supported a half-break by second rower Bryan Fletcher to score an equalising try.

Barrett was involved in that score and he provided another skilful touch on 21 minutes when loose forward Sean O'Loughlin raced onto his inside pass to sweep over for Wigan's second try.

Richards added both conversions to put the visitors 12-6 ahead but the scores were locked up again 10 minutes before half-time.

A series of penalties enabled the Rhinos to build momentum and the pressure paid off when full-back Brent Webb dummied his way past Gareth Hock for his 13th try of the season, to which Kevin Sinfield added his second goal.

Wigan missed a glorious chance to retake the lead when hooker Mick Higham burst clear and the supporting Ashton dropped his pass with a clear run to the line, while at the other end Leeds second rower Gareth Ellis failed to take a difficult pass from winger Lee Smith in a tryscoring position.

Wigan did manage to edge back in front early in the second half when Leeds were caught not square at the play-the-ball and Richards kicked a penalty.

But the penalty count against the visitors continued to mount, with Bailey twice pulled up for "spear" tackles, and he was put on report by referee Phil Bentham for one particularly bad one on substitute Ian Kirke.

Another piece of magic from Barrett almost produced another Wigan try but the final pass went astray and there was a moment of alarm for the Warriors when the former St George Illawarra captain hurt himself in a collision with Webb.

Barrett was able to continue after treatment and, after Richards added a second penalty, he supplied the final pass for Wigan's third try on 52 minutes.

A jinking run from rugby union-bound Ashton split the Leeds defence wide open and Barrett's long pass enabled former Leeds winger Mark Calderwood to cut inside his man to touch down.

Richards maintained his 100% record with a fifth goal to make it 22-12 but Webb twisted out of Thomas Leuluai's tackle to plant the ball on the line for his second try on the hour and Sinfield's goal cut the gap to just four points.

Leeds then launched wave after wave of attack, with Danny McGuire creating the best chance, but Wigan defence's held firm.