Salford Red Devils 18-14 Wigan Warriors: Leaders stunned by second-half fightback

Niall Evalds and Kevin Brown led Salford Red Devils to a spectacular 18-14 comeback victory over Wigan Warriors on Friday.

As Super League continued despite the coronavirus outbreak, it appeared to be business as usual for Wigan as they coasted towards another win in their strong start to the 2020 season.

The leaders were clinical where their hosts were initially sloppy and wasteful, with Jackson Hastings starring as he returned to former club Salford for the first time.

Both the Australian and Jake Bibby left the Red Devils for the Warriors at the end of the previous campaign, although the latter lasted only half an hour due to a head injury.

Hastings had scored by that stage, capitalising following Ken Sio's knock-on inside his own 20 from the restart after Salford had kicked a penalty to go ahead.

The home side failed to make the most of first-half pressure, with Wigan scoring again when Sam Powell burst through a gap under the posts.

But Evalds inspired belated Red Devils hope just before the hour-mark, with the same man then pouncing on a poor Powell kick to break 80 metres and cross once more.

And rather than Hastings, it was Brown who would haunt his one-time employers.

The 35-year-old, who started his career at Wigan, forged the winning try on Salford's left flank on the last tackle, with the Warriors unable to respond in the closing minutes.

73' SALFORD TRY!!! KEVIN BROWN TAKES THE LEAD! (18-14)#SALWIG pic.twitter.com/S229E7WJdJ

— Salford Red Devils (@SalfordDevils) March 13, 2020