Wakefield staged a storming finish to capture a rare Headingley victory as Leeds wilted late on.

The Rhinos led 16-10 with 18 minutes left, but Olivier Elima's try, converted by Jamie Rooney, levelled the scores.

Rooney put over a smart drop goal to nudge Wakefield in front and Luke George went over for a last-minute try, Rooney's kick piling on the agony for Leeds.

On a surface soaked by a pre-match downpour, both sides showed a commendable willingness to give the ball air, but uncompromising tackling and the greasy ball made fluent rugby difficult and the first half produced few try-scoring opportunities.

After Leeds full-back Brent Webb crossed the line in the 15th minute without managing to ground the ball, the Rhinos took the lead two minutes later when Danny McGuire's intelligent kick was gathered by prop Ryan Bailey for his third try of the season.

Kevin Sinfield added the goal but Leeds could not press home their advantage and a series of penalties gave the Wildcats a foothold in the game.

Rooney landed two of his three first-half goals and the visitors would have been level at the interval had the second of the half-back's attempts not hit an upright.

It was Wakefield's turn to concede a succession of penalties after the break and after mistakes by Ali Lauitiiti and Jordan Tansey, Leeds finally crossed the line for a second time.

Clinton Toopi's break down the right was supported by McGuire and Rob Burrow took his half-back partner's pass before racing under the posts. Sinfield added the easy goal.

But Wakefield responded magnificently, French forward Olivier Elima's try setting up that match-winning finale.

It was John Kear's first win over the Rhinos as Wakefield coach and lifted the Wildcats into fifth place in the table.