Wigan 16-31 Salford: Match report and reaction

Match stats: Wigan 16-31 Salford

Wigan tries: Davies (53), Sutton (61), Tierney (72)

Conversions: Woods (61,72) 

Salford tries: Welham (3), Evalds (20,43), Murdoch-Masila (24), Johnson (47)

Conversions: Dobson (20,24,43,47), O'Brien (76)

Drop-Goals: O'Brien (74) 

Match report

Salford recorded their first win at Wigan in 20 years, and their maiden triumph at the DW Stadium, with a convincing 31-16 victory.

The Red Devils dominated the opening half and were unlucky not to be more than 16-0 in front against their injury-ravaged opponents.

Tries from Kris Welham, Niall Evalds and Ben Murdoch-Masila put Salford in full control, while Liam Farrell wasted Wigan's only real chance of the opening period as he dropped the ball with the line at his mercy.

Salford looked like cruising to victory with two quick-fire second-half tries from Evalds and Greg Johnson, although Wigan scores from Tom Davies, Ryan Sutton and Lewis Tierney made the score respectable.

Wigan were missing 14 first-team players and handed a club debut to Josh Woods at stand-off, while Josh Ganson was named at hooker for only his second game after coming off the bench against Castleford last weekend.

The Red Devils were also missing some personnel, with Justin Carney serving an eight-game suspension after being found guilty of racial abusing an opponent. Mark Flanagan joined Todd Carney, Weller Hauraki and Lee Mossop on the sidelines.

Welham went in at the corner to open the scoring as Salford enjoyed plenty of success down Wigan's left-hand side.

An error from the Red Devils in their own half saw Wigan have some decent field position but they were unable to capitalise as Farrell knocked on chasing Powell's grubber kick with the line at his mercy.

Salford continued to look dangerous with ball in hand and full-back Evalds did a nice show and go to cross following some good build-up play involving Rob Lui, Dobson and Murdoch-Masila.

An error from Tierney saw the Warriors drop out from under their own posts and Dobson and Lui combined to send a rampaging Murdoch-Masila through to score.

Logan Tomkins was led from the field with an arm injury before half-time to add to Wigan's injury woes.

Wigan needed to score first in the second half but Dobson put in an inch perfect kick and Evalds timed his run to perfection to touch down in front of the travelling support.

The champions looked shell-shocked and Salford started to run riot, with Johnson collecting a long ball to score in the corner.

Ganson went close to going over but he was held inches short but Wigan eventually got on the score sheet in the 54th minute when Tom Davies did well to get the ball down in the corner following good work from Forsyth.

A mistake from Jake Bibby 10 metres from his own line gave Ryan Sutton the chance to barge over from close range.

Sutton was held up over the line as Wigan piled on the pressure following back-to-back penalties and they reduced the deficit to just 12 points with eight to go as Tierney went over after Isa's kick had rebounded back to him.

A knock-on from Frank-Paul Nuuausala ended any hopes of a Wigan comeback and they then conceded a penalty as O'Brien was taken out as he dropped a goal, the one-pointer counted and the former Warrington man also slotted over the penalty to seal the win.

Match reaction

Salford coach Ian Watson on his side's first success over Wigan in 20 years:"The way we played was really pleasing. In the first half we got them really well, when they tightened up we kind of picked them off. Dobbo (Michael Dobson) and Rob Lui are really good at picking things at the moment.

"Our outside backs are doing a great job for us as well. We are looking like a good package as a team, we have just got to continue that and be consistent in what we do. If we carry on in that vein I'm sure we'll do really well.

"It's good for us to be up there. We don't worry about playing any team, we know if we do our job and turn up with the right attitude that we'll win games and compete against the best teams."

Watson on talks to try and keep Niall Evalds at the club: "We have spoken to Niall and we have told him we would like to keep him. That's in Niall's hands now. Niall is like anyone in any walk of life where you have a job, until the last couple of weeks he was sat behind Gaz O'Brien.

"He wants to be a first choice full-back at a Super League club and you can't blame him for that.

"I get that from being a player myself that you want to be first choice and that's where Niall sees himself, he wants to be first choice.

"O'Brien has absolutely killed it for the last couple of years and has been keeping him out, so Niall is having a little look and wondering if it is better to go somewhere else or is it better for him to stay here.

"He has to be certain with the decision he makes and be happy with it, we'd love to keep Niall at the club. He knows that and so does his agent, it's in Niall's hands on that one on where he wants to go."

Wigan coach Shaun Wane after they suffered back-to-back defeats.

"I'm ok with losing. I thought we showed desire and our young kids stood up well. Josh Ganson playing the full 80 minutes is good for us. I know Salford had players out, but the fact we can give them a decent game I'm ok. I'm the world's worst loser but I feel ok because we had a good dig."

Wigan's injury crisis does not seem to be getting any easier as Sam Powell failed to return for the second half with a foot injury and Nick Gregson has suffered a suspected broken jaw, while Wane revealed that Morgan Escare will miss the remainder of the season with a knee problem.

Wane said: "Escare is long term, he won't play until next year. He's made a mess in his knee, torn a few things. I switch off when doctors start telling me what he's done, I just want to know how long. As soon as they mentioned a few months I switched off."