THE biggest match of former York City Knights starlet Tom Lineham’s life ended in heartbreak as his Warrington side lost a pulsating Super League Grand Final to Wigan at a packed, noisy Old Trafford – Lineham at fault for the decisive try.

The former York RUFC junior - whose rugby league career began when he switched codes under the Knights’ tutelage while at York College - lost the ball in a hit-up an unlucky 13 metres from his own line, marring an otherwise top-notch display.

The scores were level but, in the attack that followed, Josh Charnley touched down to send the Warriors on their way to a 12-6 victory and their first title since 2013.

Agony - again. Lineham, 24, a big money transfer from Hull this season, had missed out on Wembley in August, left out of the Wire team that lost narrowly to his former club in the Challenge Cup final.

Injuries in the camp afforded him a chance back in the line-up for the Super 8s rematch between the teams - and he scored twice in the victory that gave Wire the League Leaders’ Shield. He then finished a cracker to seal last week’s 18-10 play-off semi-final win over St Helens - and his berth at Old Trafford.

That also made it 16 tries in 22 Wolves appearances this term. But it was the try at the wrong end here that will prove most important.

There was notable team news before kick-off. Warrington playmaker Chris Sandow, an injury doubt, was named on their bench, young Declan Patton starting.

For Wigan, skipper Sean O’Loughlin also passed fit for a spot on the bench after two months out.

Prop Ben Flower – whose last Grand Final ended in ignominy when sent off inside two minutes for a terrible assault on St Helens’ Lance Hohaia, an offence which brought a six-month ban – was also back from a two-match suspension, this one for a high tackle on Patton in the grand finalists’ Super 8s meeting.

Twelve-man Wigan came back remarkably in that clash. However, they had lost the “Ben Flower Grand Final” two years ago.

This time, unbridled joy on the final hooter was all theirs again.

Lineham went close from a Patton kick early doors, but it would have been an impossible finish. Instead, Wigan took the lead via a Matty Smith penalty in front of the sticks.

Smith then booted a 40-20 on a free play and only the bounce of the ball from clever kicks by Smith and half-back partner George Williams denied the Warriors golden opportunities.

The atmosphere was electric, the pace unrelenting.

Wigan should have scored again with an overlap but as Wolves desperately scrambled, Anthony Gelling’s pass to Charnley was forward.

Back at the other end, Charnley erred under a bomb, but Warrington too wasted a half-chance, Ryan Atkins unable to hold a low pass with Lineham in space outside him.

They didn’t waste the next, Patton dummying and darting in, and goaling too.

A harsh knock-on awarded against Lewis Tierney under a kick soon afforded Wire more field position, but Jack Hughes lost control of the ball as he tried to spin over the whitewash.

Back at the Stretford End, Williams then lost control of his senses, wastefully grubber kicking on tackle one following Dan Sarginson’s superb run into the red zone on a free play.

Then followed a bizarre piece of play. As Wigan pressed again, Ryan Atkins stole the ball off John Bateman and raced upfield, Charnley showing great pace to catch him ten metres short. The teams played on. But all the while referee Robert Hicks was frantically blowing his whistle at the other end for offside. Such was the din inside Old Trafford, nobody heard him.

Lineham’s spatial awareness, outside Rhys Evans, was key seconds before half-time as Wigan looked sure to score in the left corner. Lineham held his line and Evans effected a fine tackle.

It was in the very same part of the pitch that Warrington so nearly extended their lead in the second half – centre Atkins going for the line but losing the ball among a plethora of bodies. The video ref crucially said no try.

Immediately Wigan broke through down the inside left via Liam Farrell – the Harry Sunderland man of the match - and Oliver Gildart levelled the scores.

The noise ramped up again.

Sandow, now on, won a drop-out with a kick and chase. He caused more consternation with a grubber. Wigan held out.

Then came Lineham’s one mistake of the night, just past the hour.

Sarginson’s quick thinking and kick gave Charnley the chance and the winger touched down on what was his last Wigan appearance before switching codes.

Smith missed the conversion but added a controversial penalty to make it 12-6 with six and a half minutes left.

It was all Warrington thereafter - but they could not find an equaliser.

Warrington: Ratchford, Lineham, Evans, Atkins, Russell, Gidley, Patton, Hill, Clark, Sims, Wilde, Hughes, Westerman. Subs (all used): T King, G King, Sandow, Bailey.

Wigan: Sarginson, Charnley, Gelling, Gildart, Tierney, Williams, Smith, Nuuausala, Powell, Flower, Bateman, Farrell, Isa. Subs (all used): Tautai, Sutton, Crosby, O’Loughlin.

Attendance: 70,202.