Richards has drop on Bulls as Wigan turn it around at death

But even Noble, who took Bradford to five successive Grand Finals before moving to Wigan last year, must have given up the ghost when his side trailed 30-6.

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We're there: Trent Barrett cheers the win at the end

Wigan hauled themselves back to claim a sensational one-point success and Noble's successor, Steve McNamara, was left as shellshocked as the home crowd.

Winger Mark Calderwood completed a hat-trick of Wigan tries, Bradford's David Solomona having scored three in the first period.

But it was Wigan's neversay- die spirit and the flawless kicking of full back Pat Richards, who won the tie with a late drop goal, that created one of the most amazing finishes ever.

Wigan had won their previous five games and a victory over St Helens had hoisted them back into the top six after their four-point penalty for salary cap breaches.

McNamara did not risk Bulls captain Paul Deacon in such a crucial contest because of his suspect hamstring, so he used player of the year Glenn Morrison at stand off.

But the Bulls were not fazed, and there was a spring in their step when they led 22-6 ahead at the interval.

Solomona's first-half hat-trick seemed to have knocked the stuffing out of Wigan.

The former Wakefield back row forward, in his first season with the Bulls, had rocked them after only four minutes, taking Andy Lynch's pass to storm to the line.

Then successive handling errors by Calderwood, under high balls from Iestyn Harris, led to a Tame Tupou try in the corner and again Harris converted.

Wigan rallied briefly with a torpedo pass from their classiest player, Trent Barrett, sending David Vaealiki on a run and, from his off-load, scrum half Thomas Leuluai raced over.

But Solomona finished the first half with two more opportunist tries, diving over from acting half back before completing his hattrick after spadework from Terry Newton and Harris.

Wigan faced an even higher mountain when Morrison sent Harris in for another try within three minutes of the restart, which the Welshman converted himself.

Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin was put "on report" for a high tackle on Harris, who popped over the penalty.

But Barrett fashioned two tries for Calderwood, then substitute Harrison Hansen raced clear, another successful conversion by Richards closing the gap to six points.

Suddenly Bradford looked heavy legged and Calderwood seized on a rash Shontayne Hape pass to complete his hat-trick.

Richards kicked his fifth goal to level the scores before dropping the vital one-pointer with four minutes left.

Noble was stunned by the turn-around. "I thought we had thrown the game away, I'll be honest," he said. "Perhaps taking the pressure off us completely when they went 24 points up helped us.

"We were also helped by the fact that we played the ball a little bit quicker, strung a few passes together and managed to get across the line ourselves.

"We got on a roll in the last 20 minutes and it just goes to show how important momentum is in a game.

"There is always belief in the team that we can score points. I was pretty disappointed in our defence because we leaked far too many and we'll have to improve a whole lot next week, wherever we go.

"But I don't want to take anything away from our players because it was a very special effort in the last 25 minutes.

"I'm certainly not gloating because I thought the opposition was the better team for large parts of the game," added Noble. "I feel for the Bradford players. It's not a nice place to be."

Wigan, who only clinched the last play-off spot with victory over St Helens in the last round of Super League, will now be away to Hull or Huddersfield next Saturday.

Bradford had genuine hopes of a return to Old Trafford but their season is now at an end and coach Steve McNamara admitted: "This is as bad as it gets.

"The boys are a bit bewildered. We are obviously hugely disappointed not to get the result because for large parts of the game we dominated. We have learned a harsh lesson."