Wigan survived the first-half sending-off of Richard Mathers to clinch an engage Super League play-off place with a backs-to-the-wall victory over Wakefield at the JJB Stadium.

The former Leeds full-back was given his second red card of the campaign two minutes before the break by referee Ben Thaler for leading with an elbow as he attempted to fend off Wildcats back rower Jason Demetriou, which tarnished an otherwise solid half for the Warriors.

Tries from Tim Smith, Thomas Leuluai and Cameron Phelps had opened up a 16-4 home lead after two Danny Brough penalties edged the visitors ahead early on, but it was pure grit and determination that ensured the Warriors stayed ahead in a tense second 40 minutes.

Wakefield hit back through Danny Sculthorpe, Duncan MacGillivray and Oliver Wilkes, but Mickey Higham and a late effort from Joel Tomkins sealed the points for Brian Noble's men.

The visitors were good value for their early advantage after Brough twice profited from Wigan stealing the ball in front of their own posts.

However, Australian half-back Smith, thrust into the limelight due to the injury to Trent Barrett, stepped forward and tipped the balance in Wigan's favour.

Midway through the first half, the former Parramatta man dummied his way through three would-be tacklers to cross for his first try for the club, before switching play beautifully to allow Leuluai to side-step his way over by the posts.

Two conversions by Pat Richards gave the Warriors a 12-4 advantage, before Phelps notched Wigan's third try after good work by Mike McIlorum down the right-hand flank.

Although Richards slipped while attempting the conversion, the Warriors were looking comfortable until Mathers was ordered off, leaving his team-mates a man short for the second period.

Wildcats, on the back of a woeful recent run, were given fresh heart by the sending-off, and were back on level terms within 10 minutes of the restart.

First Sculthorpe crashed over in the right-hand corner, before Brough's short ball sent over MacGillivray.

Brough converted both to lock the scores at 16-16, although the boot of Richards edged Wigan in front again after Sculthorpe went high on Higham.

The big prop was placed on report for the incident, with the home fans baying for the referee to administer a second red card, but Higham took his revenge by burrowing over on the hour mark to allow Richards to put the Warriors eight points clear.

Back came Wakefield, however, and a converted Wilkes touchdown reduced the gap to two before another Richards penalty made it 26-22.

The Wildcats then got the ball back from the kick-off after George Carmont spilled possession, but centre Ryan Atkins was held inches short by a desperate defence.

And Wigan sealed a hard-fought win with two minutes left when Smith kicked through for Tomkins to finally finish off the plucky visitors.