A stirring Hull fightback saw them register a first win of the season over engage Super League pacesetters Wigan at the KC Stadium, shattering their opponents' unbeaten start to the season in the process.

A 71st-minute try from former Warriors man Danny Tickle edged Peter Sharp's side in front for the first time since they led 8-6 in the opening half and rounded off a thrilling contest.

Tickle's winner, which came after Wigan failed to deal with a high kick from the same player, had a hint of irony about it too, as the visitors had edged themselves into 16-8 and 22-14 leads after preying on Hull's inability to field kicks all night.

That will matter little to Sharp though, who despite being bereft of seven first-team players through injury at the start of the season, has already felt the fans backlash for his side's sluggish start.

They will travel to Huddersfield next weekend full of confidence now, but Wigan, who led 16-8 at the break thanks to a three-try burst in the last 15 minutes of the half, will rue a missed opportunity to have registered a third straight win.

The result also allowed Hull to end the hoodoo Wigan have held over them of late. The Warriors beat Hull four times last year and knocked them out of the play-offs with a 21-18 defeat in September.

Having endured a nightmare against the Harlequins six days ago, Hull full-back Motu Tony began the game in a similar vein by spilling the kick-off and his error summed up Hull's half.

None of their players were able to deal with any kicks that came their way and two of Wigan's three first-half tries came from them.

Hull were the first to score though, when Shaun Berrigan crashed over with seven minutes on the clock. Harrison Hansen had already seen his Wigan try ruled out for a forward pass by Trent Barrett by that time, but it mattered little to Berrigan as he took a pass from Danny Washbrook to notch a second try in as many games.

The makeshift scrum-half was behind everything that Hull did and also brought the best out of half-back partner Washbrook, who almost created a try for Tickle with a sublime pass, only for the latter to knock-on.

Despite Tickle adding a penalty to put Hull 8-0 ahead though, his side continued to struggle when receiving kicks and Ewan Dowes and Berrigan joined Tony in coughing up possession.

As a result of the pressure created, Wigan got back in the game through Gareth Hock's 24th-minute touchdown from Thomas Leuluai's pass, before George Carmont added his first try for the club.

Danny Williams was caught sleeping as Leuluai slipped a kick in behind him and Pat Richards flirted with the touchline as he collected but he was able to palm the ball infield for the waiting Carmont. The touch judge called Richards for crossing the line but referee Gareth Hewer overruled him.

With Hull now struggling for territory, Wigan preyed upon their weakness and added a third try before the break as Carmont took advantage of defensive confusion after a kick to slip a neat pass out to Richards who cantered in at the corner.

Teenage hooker Danny Houghton boosted Hull's hopes of a revival at the start of the second half after he bounced over for a first senior try and, when Craig Hall was bundled into touch by Richard Mathers as he scorched away, Hull's youthful side were certainly on top.

Their bubble was burst though as Leuluai found the right pass to send Phil Bailey in for a score that extended Wigan's lead just after the hour mark.

But, with Berrigan, Washbrook and now Houghton battering Hull forward, it wasn't long before they were back in with a shout, and returning captain Lee Radford narrowed the deficit when he took a Tickle pass to score.

Hull were now streaming forward at every opportunity and Wigan began to lose their discipline, conceding two vital penalties in a row.

Tickle then added his try as Liam Colbon made a hash of taking in his high kick and the same player's conversion edged Hull back in front at 24-22.

Tony then redeemed himself with a try-saving tackle on Carmont as Wigan ran out of steam.