Wigan remained on course for Wembley after a hat-trick of tries from winger Pat Richards enabled them to see off plucky Salford in the first Carnegie Challenge Cup quarter-final.

The Warriors led only 10-6 at half-time after struggling to transform their obvious superiority onto the scoreboard but Richards' decisive finishing in the second half saw them through to Sunday's semi-final draw.

Wigan made the perfect start when second rower Gareth Hock took Thomas Leuluai's pass and sidestepped full-back John Wilshere for the game's first try after just two minutes.

Richards kicked the first of four goals and the Warriors almost scored again when centre George Carmont forced his way to the line only to lose control of the ball.

But Salford, who were looking for a second major scalp after knocking out last year's runners-up Hull in round four, withstood the early pressure and equalised from their first meaningful attack.

An offload from the tackle by prop Ray Cashmere enabled Richie Myler to shift the ball wide and second rower Luke Adamson took an inside return pass from Jordan Turner to touch down for a try converted by Wilshere.

The prodigiously-talented Myler was a constant threat to the Warriors but the Reds lacked the quality of their opponents' kicking game and were unable to maintain any sort of momentum on attack.

Wigan coach Brian Noble demanded big stints from front rowers Andy Coley, Iafeta Paleaaesina and Paul Prescott in the absence of Stuart Fielden through suspension and they did not let him down.

Their powerful thrusts set up the position for Carmont to get Richards over at the corner for a 26th-minute try and the visitors' defence lived dangerously throughout the second quarter.

Stand-off Sam Tomkins ruined another break by Hock with a knock-on and Richards dropped Carmont's pass with the line beconing.

Salford were the first to threaten in the second half, courtesy of the boots of Mark Henry and Stefan Ratchford, who both hacked the ball towards the Wigan line, and the home side were grateful to scramble the ball dead.

The Warriors were also grateful to the slender Sam Tomkins after he somehow bundled powerful Salford centre Willie Talau into touch close to their own line.

But Wigan always looked the more dangerous side with ball in hand and, after Richards had edged them further in front with a penalty on 50 minutes, they struck with a decisive third try.

Leuluai and Sean O'Loughlin worked the ball out to their favoured left flank and Carmont sent Richards over for his second try to put his side 16-6 ahead.

Salford could not get their hands on the ball as they were forced into desperate defence.

They managed to prevent substitute hooker Michael McIlorum grounding the ball when he reached the line but there was no stopping Richards after 70 minutes as he completed his second hat-trick for the club.

As the Warriors kept up the pressure, Sam Tomkins had a try disallowed for a double movement before Hock twisted and turned his way over for his second try.