Leeds Rhinos 12 Wigan Warriors 10 - Last-gasp Smith try sees Leeds remain on road to Wembley

The full-back settled an absorbing Challenge Cup quarter-final tie between the Super League champions and the current table-toppers with a last gasp try that broke the hearts of Wigan Warriors.

With just seconds remaining, the gutsy Lancastrians seemed set to prevail courtesy of the kicking prowess of Pat Richards.

The Wigan full back had landed five of six penalties, ensuring the visitors were 10-8 ahead as the Rhinos launched one last attack more in hope than expectation of snatching a first try of the afternoon.

However, just as all seemed lost, Smith latched on to a deft inside pass from Kevin Sinfield before skipping through attempted tackles from Richards and Sean O'Loughlin to snatch a dramatic victory for the Yorkshire side.

Coach Brian McClennan said: "It was a classic Challenge Cup tie and I am really pleased for the boys because they got what they deserved.

"We knew if it was close in the final quarter then we would be confident in ourselves because of our big match experience.

"We are not being big-headed in saying that if it is close in the last 15 minutes then most teams get a bit edgy against us."

Watched by many of the Yorkshire and Lancashire cricketers who had been frustrated by the rain in the 'other' Roses encounter scheduled for Headingley on Saturday, both sides had tackled themselves almost to a standstill in the 79 minutes that preceded Smith's dramatic try. In difficult handling conditions, scoring opportunities were at a premium with the only incident of note in the first half being in the 38th-minute when video referee Steve Ganson ruled that Sam Tomkins had been prevented from grounding the ball after collecting his own kick.

Otherwise, the boots of Sinfield and Richards dominated in a cagey first half. The Leeds man landed two penalties and struck the upright with another two as Richards converted all three of the penalties awarded to Wigan by referee Phil Bentham.

The Wigan full-back's 100 per cent record did come to an end three minutes after the restart when he dragged a penalty wide after Keith Senior had unwittingly caught Joel Tomkins as the Leeds centre was tackled.

And it proved a costly miss with Sinfield levelling the scores just five minutes later as the penalties continued to come thick and fast.

Wigan then twice went ahead via Richards to leave Leeds staring at a Cup exit as the clock ticked down towards the final hooter.

That was, however, until the last minute when the Rhinos launched one final assault on the visitors' line from the base of a scrum.

After Jamie Peacock, showing true heroism to play through the pain barrier after tearing knee ligaments just a fortnight earlier, had helped work Leeds into a decent position, the ball was then spun out to Sinfield who sent Smith through to cap a heart-stopping finale.

Leeds Rhinos: Smith; Donald, Delaney, Senior, Hall; Sinfield, McGuire; K Leuluai, Buderus, Bailey, Kirke, Ablett, Jones-Buchanan. Substitutes (all used): Diskin, Eastwood, Peacock, Clarkson.

Wigan Warriors: Richards; Roberts, Gleeson, Carmont, Pryce; S Tomkins, T Leuluai; Fielden, Riddell, Coley, J Tomkins, Bailey, O'Loughlin. Substitutes (all used): Prescott, McIlorum, Farrell, Tuson.

Referee: P Bentham (Warrington).