Goulding back to rescue Wigan

Darrell Goulding scored Wigan's late winner in a 24-22 triumph over the Catalans Dragons on Friday night.

George Carmont (23), Pat Richards (26, 64), Amos Roberts (45) and Goulding (73) scored the Warriors' tries at the JJB Stadium, with man of the match Richards also kicking two goals.

But the hosts were made to work for the points and trailed 22-14 as the time ticked down, following scores from Steven Bell (35), Olivier Elima (39), Philippe Jean-Baile (50) and Dimitri Pelo (57) and two kicks from Thomas Bosc.

Tight

The home side put the pressure on early doors and it paid off on 22 minutes when full-back Cameron Phelps got the ball out of a two-man tackle to Thomas Leuluai and the New Zealand international sent Carmont crashing over.

Leuluai was the provider again as Richards crossed and duly stepped up to convert as the Warriors forged their way into a 10-0 lead.

But, despite seeing full-back Clint Greenshields sin-binned for arguing with referee Ben Thaler, the Dragons hit back through Bell after good work from Jason Croker.

Pelo's burst down the flank then sent second rower Elima over to give the Dragons a 12-10 lead heading into the break.

Drama

Leuluai had been sin-binned for showing dissent to a touch judge in between those tries, but Wigan were quickly back on the offensive in the second half and were back in front within seven minutes of the resumption when Goulding sent Roberts over for a third try.

Catalans hit back immediately, though, as Greg Bird won the race to Bosc's cleverly-judged grubber kick and the scrum-half kicked his third goal to put his side 18-14 ahead.

The Dragons demonstrated far superior finishing on the hour when centre Baile wriggled free from his would-be tacklers and Pelo produced a wonderful pick-up to score.

But Phelps got Richards over for his second converted try just after the hour mark and Goulding crossed for the game winner with eight minutes remaining to keep up Wigan's play-off hopes.