Former NRL star Chris Sandow has landed a long-range field goal on fulltime to give Warrington a 31-30 win over Salford in the Super League.

The Wolves were staring at a first defeat of the season when their former player Gareth O’Brien kicked Salford into an 18-point lead after 49 minutes.

But centre Ryan Atkins scored two tries in four minutes to give the visitors renewed hope and after former North Queensland star Ashton Sims’ fifth try enabled them to draw level.

Ex-Parramatta and South Sydney playmaker Sandow, who kicked five goals on the night, then nailed a 40-metre plus shot as the siren sounded to break Salford’s hearts.

Sandow had missed with a long-range penalty attempt shortly before landing his drop goal and drew the admiration of his coach Tony Smith.

“That was probably as convincing a kicking game I’ve seen since Sean Long was in his pomp,” Smith said.

“It was not just his field goal but some of his tactical kicks in the second half were world class.

“And to come up with a field goal like that, you’ve got to pinch yourself sometimes. It was a phenomenal kick in those conditions and under that pressure.”

Warrington, who were without former Newcastle NRL captain Kurt Gidley, remain top of the Super League after four rounds.