Huddersfield leapfrogged Warrington into fifth place in Super League and edged closer to a first-ever play-off appearance with a hard-fought victory in an error-strewn match at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Warrington were level at 12-12 at the break but faded in the second half to end their home campaign on a disappointing note despite a hat-trick of tries from makeshift centre Ben Westwood and are in danger of missing out on a top-six spot.

The Wolves also lost prop forward Paul Wood with a dislocated elbow and had international duo Adrian Morley and Paul Rauhihi placed on report for alleged foul tackles.

The highlight of Huddersfield's victory - their fifth in the last six matches - was a length-of-the-field try from winger Rod Jensen while stand-off Kevin Brown also scored an interception as the visitors demonstrated a ruthless streak.

Yet Warrington made the ideal start, with winger Henry Fa'afili, Super League's leading tryscorer, marking his return from injury with his 20th touchdown after only three minutes.

But, when second rower Andy Bracek knocked on from the re-start, Huddersfield hit back immediately, with lively hooker Ryan Hudson nipping through a gap in the Wolves defence for a solo try.

Hudson then blotted his copybook by losing the ball 30 metres out from his own line and Warrington took full advantage, with Westwood taking a return pass from Morley to touch down for his first try.

Warrington's tries were too far out for Briers to convert but Huddersfield captain Chris Thorman, back from a kidney injury, made no mistake with his kicks, converting his side's second try after 26 minutes from Brad Drew, whose deceptive speed exposed another gaping hole in the home defence.

The Wolves lost Wood midway through the first half but they struck just before the interval when promising winger Kevin Penny successfully chased Briers' kick to the corner for his 12th try in just 11 starts.

It should have given the home side a lift but Huddersfield regained the lead seven minutes into the second half, even though their third try came strictly against the run of play.

A break from stand-off Jon Clarke looked to have freed forward Rob Parker but he was brought down just short of the line and from the next play-the-ball Jensen intercepted Mark Gleeson's pass from dummy half and sprinted the full length of the field for a glorious try.

Thorman's third goal made it 18-12 and he opened up an eight-point lead with a penalty awarded for lifting in the tackle by Rauhihi.

Centre Jamahl Lolesi then won the race to Drew's kick to grab the Giants' fourth try and Brown intercepted Briers' pass to sprint 40 metres for another.

Warrington staged a late rally with Westwood rewarded for a storming display out of position with two tries in seven minutes to complete his hat-trick and he also kicked a conversion from the touchline.

With the points secured, Huddersfield coach Jon Sharp took the opportunity to give 17-year-old centre Michael Lawrence his first taste of Super League action and the visitors completed the scoring in injury time with a touchline penalty from Thorman.