Hull KR defended exceptionally to grind out a tense victory at the JJB Stadium that lifts them to the top of engage Super League.

Paul Cooke and Jake Webster scored tries in a crucial six-minute spell early in the second half to edge the Robins in front for the first time, and they tackled their hearts out to defend their lead under intense pressure from the hosts.

It is the second time Rovers have topped the table - they briefly led after round five in 2007 - and, although St Helens will regain pole position if they beat Catalans Dragons tomorrow, Justin Morgan's men proved their lofty placing is no fluke.

Rovers' influential scrum-half Michael Dobson scored in controversial fashion after the first-half hooter sounded but overall Wigan could hardly complain about a fifth home defeat of the season.

Persistent rain made for treacherous conditions under foot but that simply added to the excitement as defences dominated a terrific encounter.

Rovers demonstrated their danger in the opening moments when second-rower Clint Newton broke clean through the Wigan line to get the supporting Dobson haring for the line and, although he slid over from seven metres out, Wigan winger Amos Roberts managed to prevent him grounding the ball.

Wigan then opened the scoring after six minutes when stand-off Tim Smith's pinpoint pass got skipper Sean O'Loughlin into a gaping hole in the Rovers defence and he wrong-footed former team-mate Shaun Briscoe to notch the game's first try.

That looked likely to be the only score of the first half but Rovers struck in dramatic fashion in injury-time.

The hooter sounded with substitute Daniel Fitzhenry held in a tackle just short of the Wigan tryline but referee Richard Silverwood allowed play to continue and from the next play Dobson forced his way over, to the anger of the home crowd.

Dobson added the conversion to pile on the agony for the Warriors but they quickly recovered from that shock and regained the lead within 90 seconds of the re-start.

Hull KR substitute Jason Netherton lost the ball in a crunching tackle in the first set to give the Warriors a perfect attacking position.

The impressive Thomas Leuluai made sure they capitalised, jinking his way into the open to send O'Loughlin in for his second try, and Richards kicked his second goal to make it 12-6.

But that was the signal for the never-say-die Rovers to step up a gear and they went in front with the aid of two tries in six minutes.

They struck first in fortuitous fashion when Smith's attempted clearance kick was charged down and stand-off Cooke was quick to react, dribbling ahead to pick up and score.

Dobson's conversion tied the scores at 12-12 and Webster put the Robins ahead for the first time after 56 minutes when he went round the outside of his opposite number George Carmont to score a third try.

Dobson's third goal made it 18-12 but Rovers were forced onto the defensive as Wigan piled on the pressure in the final quarter.

The home side twice ran penalties from in front of the posts but the Rovers defence held firm and Dobson relieved the pressure with a 40-20 kick which set up the position for a drop goal.

The little Australian was wide with that effort and Cooke had a drop-goal attempt charged down but Dobson had the final say with a late penalty to seal a notable victory.