Smith drop goal sends Wigan top of Super League

Harry Smith was again the drop-goal hero for Wigan Warriors as he sent them top of the Betfred Super League with the winning score in a 19-18 victory at home to Hull FC.

The Warriors snatched an early lead through man-of-the-moment Jai Field, but the Black and Whites had turned it around by half-time to lead 12-6 thanks to converted tries from Adam Swift and Danny Houghton.

It was nip and tuck throughout the second half as Ethan Havard's score pulled Wigan level, with Chris Satae putting Hull back in front and then full-back Field grabbing his second of the night to set up a grandstand finish.

Both Smith and the returning Luke Gale missed drop goal attempts in the closing stages, but the former made no mistake at the second time of asking with another crucial one-pointer two minutes from time, just as he had done against Toulouse Olympique earlier in the season.

The home side began impressively and took the lead after three minutes when Field chimed into the line and dummied his way over for the game's first try.

Hardaker could not add the conversion but succeeded with a penalty after 15 minutes after Hull were pulled up for a ball steal in front of the posts.

The Warriors' bright opening probably warranted a bigger lead, but Hull's defence held firm and they gradually worked their way into the contest.

Prop Ligi Sao was left with a clear run to the line after charging down a kick on halfway, but was quickly hunted down and Gale was close to touching down a kick from winger Darnell McIntosh as the Black and Whites showed their danger.

Wigan failed to heed the warning signs and conceded two tries in the last seven minutes of the half as their opponents made the most of the momentum shift.

Quick hands from Jake Connor and