Former Great Britain forward Stuart Fielden scored his first try for more than two years as Wigan three times came from behind to win a tense Carnegie Challenge Cup fifth-round tie at Belle Vue.

The Wildcats were clinging to a 17-16 lead when Fielden, the game's most expensive player following his £450,000 move from Bradford in 2006, burst through their defence for a rare solo touchdown on 65 minutes that clinched Wigan's place in the quarter-final draw.

Teenage half-back Sam Tomkins then added a fifth try five minutes from the end to put more than a score between the two sides for the first time in the match.

The Warriors, who gained a 40-26 League win at Belle Vue just a fortnight earlier, just about deserved their victory, although Wakefield pushed them all the way.

The Wildcats, who gave a debut to Samoan international forward Frank Winterstein, were superbly marshalled by half-back Danny Brough and made by far the better start.

Wigan scrum-half Thomas Leuluai conceded a drop-out from the kick-off, Fielden knocked on with his first touch and Pat Richards misjudged the stiff breeze to kick out on the full.

Wakefield made their visitors pay for their sloppiness, skipper Jason Demetriou taking Brough's pass to force his way past George Carmont for the game's first try and hooker Tevita Leo-Latu crashing over from Brough's short pass.

A conversion from Brough put the Wildcats 10-0 up after only six minutes but Wigan, their confidence boosed by a 38-18 win over St Helens, demonstrated their danger when Richards went over after Andy Coley pounced on a loose ball only for video referee Ian Smith to disallow the score for ball-stealing.

It looked a harsh decision but the Warriors turned the game on its head with three clinically-finished tries before half-time.

Skipper Sean O'Loughlin combined with his half-backs to create an opening on the left, with Carmont taking Richards' inside pass to touch down.

Second rower Gareth Hock then exploded down the middle courtesy of a fierce hand-off of Jay Pitts and sent hooker Michael McIlorum over for a second try which, with Richards' conversion, tied the scores.

Brough edged his side back in front with a drop goal but O'Loughlin brushed aside the challenge of Brad Drew to break from his own half and sent full-back Cameron Phelps over for a third try, to which Richards added his second goal.

Wakefield ought to have made more of a break by centre Ryan Atkins just before half-time but they went in front for a third time on 52 minutes when centre Tony Martin won the race to Brough's grubber kick.

The Wildcats could not hold onto their lead, however, and their defence opened up alarmingly for Fielden to charge over for the all-important score.

Tomkins then jinked his way over just to make sure of the win and Richards kicked his fourth goal.