Warrington held on to win a thrilling match at Craven Park after storming into an impressive first half lead.

In the end the visitors were only saved by a Mick Monaghan drop goal as Rovers forced their way back into the game.

Missing Matt King and Chris Bridge from last week's side, the Wolves were 28-0 up inside the first half hour as Rovers showed little of their current form which had seen them see off St Helens and the Catalans.

After two minutes Warrington moved the ball from left to right following a penalty, Jake Webster gave Martin Gleeson too much room and he opened the scoring, Lee Briers converting

Seven minutes later Vinnie Anderson sent the flying Kevin Penny away, the winger kicked ahead and Chris Hicks got the touchdown.

A poor pass from Jake Webster was snapped up by Paul Johnson on 18 minutes and he raced in to score from the halfway line. Briers again converted.

More slack defence on 22 minutes allowed Ben Westwood in with Briers' conversion making it 22-0 and three minutes later Hicks bagged his second try, Briers again adding the extras.

Wolves conceded a series of penalties which ended with Jake Webster opening Rovers' account on 34 minutes but missing the conversion leaving them 28-4 down at the break.

After the interval Stanley Gene was put on report in the 51st minute for a high tackle on Simon Grix which led to the Wolves man being stretchered off after landing awkwardly.

Then the Rovers' fightback began. Ben Cockayne produced a try-saving tackle on Johnson on 59 minutes and then four minutes later he went in for a fine solo try converted by Scott Murrell. Ben Galea sent in Ben Fisher on 65 minutes, with Murrell again converting.

Briers was then short with a drop at goal but Mick Monaghan's 72nd minute drop goal gave Wolves extra breathing space.

But still Rovers would not give in. Stanley Gene's break sent in Kris Welham with Murrell converting on 73 minutes and then Daniel Fitzhenry's try on 75 minutes converted by Murrell almost closed the gap.