Jackson the architect as Hull FC end long wait for win at Wigan

Regardless of their historically poor success rate there, Hull’s opponents were a squad full of seasoned internationals who were all also hurting after a defeat the week previously.

So, when Wigan fought back from 14-2 down to lead 18-14 with just seven minutes remaining, no one figured on an Airlie Birds renaissance.

However, no one had factored in the growing influence of Lee Jackson either. The former Great Britain hooker, showing few signs that he was approaching the age of 33, delivered a performance of old as he initiated the move which sent in Richard Horne for the defining score.

Having already wriggled over from dummy half for a try himself, Jackson combined with Paul King and then Paul Cooke for teenage stand-off Horne to profit and Matt Crowther to kick the winning conversion. he East Yorkshire club had not prospered at Wigan for a decade but they showed tremendous drive and character to come out on top in an epic encounter, moving above both stunned Warriors and Widnes to fourth in the Super League table.

Their opponents were missing some notable faces, including Great Britain international Paul Johnson and Australians Jamie Aimnscough and Jules O’Neill but their line-up remained a Who’s Who of Super League greats – Andy Farrell, Adrian Lam, Kris Radlinski, Gary Connolly, Brian Carney, Terry Newton, Terry O’Connor and Brett Dallas to name a few with a young Sean O’Loughlin emerging off the bench. However, their combined talent could not thwart Hull’s half-back pairing of Horne and Jason Smith who probed relentlessly and with Jackson darting from hooker they established a seemingly commanding lead.

Crowther cancelled out Farrell’s early penalty before improving two well-worked tries.

First, Smith hoisted a high kick to the corner which Dallas failed to control under pressure from Steve Prescott and Chris Smith, allowing Toa Kohe-Love to pounce.

Jackson then scrambled over before leading an industrious defensive effort.

Great Britain captain Farrell, inevitably, found a way through eventually with his own crossfield kick providing Radlinski with the score to get the Cherry and Whites hopeful.

Dallas and Hull-born David Hodgson later broke down the resistance further to put Wigan in sight of success but then Jackson, who would head to York at the end of the season after a fine career with Sheffield Eagles, Leeds and Newcastle Knights, stepped up to grab the game back in his side’s favour.

Although his playing days were coming to a close, it proved a glorious moment for the slight player who proved his mettle in England and Australia, winning the 1997 NRL Grand Final with Newcastle alongside Andrew Johns and under the coaching of Yorkshireman Malcolm Reilly.

He had returned to his hometown club for a second spell having initially started his career at The Boulevard, helping Hull to the 1990-91 Premiership Trophy with victory over Widnes.

Hull eventually finished 2002 in fifth but found themselves ousted from the play-offs at the first attempt by Leeds, inspired by Keith Senior, the centre powering over for a hat-trick.