Wakefield coach James Webster praised his side's guts and determination after they sprung a surprise 36-28 defeat on reigning Super League champions Wigan.
At 34, Australian Webster became the competition's youngest head coach when he took over from Richard Agar at the start of the month, and has since overseen two victories.
The Wildcats had led 24-18 at half-time with captain Danny Kirmond among their four try scorers before the Warriors hit back with Liam Farrell scoring two of their five tries.
But with Danny Washbrook and Reece Lyne running in the decisive late scores, the hosts moved 10 points clear of the drop zone.
"It was an exciting game. I thought the boys played really tough and gutsed it out," said Webster.
"Wigan came at us for the full 80 minutes. I thought it was a decent game of rugby if you're a neutral, and you will have enjoyed it.
"But as a Wigan or a Wakefield supporter there were a couple of moments where it was heart-in-your-mouth sort of stuff.
"I'm under no illusions that we got them at a good time. The first day I spoke to my staff preparing for Wigan, I said we had a massive advantage."
To compound the defeat, Wigan dropped down to third after wins for new leaders St Helens over Castleford Tigers and Leeds Rhinos over Widnes Vikings.
Veteran captain Paul Wellens grabbed a brace for the Saints, as did Mark Percival, as they ran in seven tries in a comfortable 38-16 win.
It was a closer affair at Widnes as Rhinos made up a six-point half-time deficit by running in five second-half tries to win 38-28.
London Broncos' search for their first league win of the season continues after they lost out 38-22 at Huddersfield Giants on Saturday.
James Cunningham crossed in the first half but it was outnumbered by four from Giants through Scott Grix, Brett Ferres, Jermaine McGillvary and Joe Wardle.
McGillvary and Wardle then added their second tries after the break with Broncos head coach Joe Grima was left to rue his side's slow start.
"You can't give any team a 20-point start, let alone a side like Huddersfield Giants," he said.
"There's got to be a wooden spoonist in every competition. We'll be doing our best to avoid it."
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