Moments before the break, prop Luke Yates pirouetted elegantly past Cooper Jenkins to slide in next to the sticks as Irwin levelled the scores with the boot as half-time approached.
The game’s decisive moment came after the break when James McDonnell was adjudged to have challenged Williams off the ball under a high ball and Irwin stepped up to the tee to notch Warrington two points in front.
A charge down from Keenan Palasia near his own line kept Leeds in the fight but a great tackle from Bentley forced a knock-on as both defences were on top in the second period.
Connor’s sensational 40/20 with two minutes remaining ultimately was in vain as Palasia’s ball carrying arm had already hit the floor.
A block off the ball gave Connor the chance to be the hero and force the game into golden point but, at the wire, he was unable to find the distance required and Williams kicked the ball into touch to the relief of the travelling supporters.
Leeds: F. McCormack; Lumb, N. McCormack, Newman, Hall; Croft, Connor; Oledzki, O’Connor, Lodge, Watkins, McDonnell, Palasia.
Interchanges: Holroyd, Jenkins, Smith, Cassell.
Warrington: Josh Thewlis; Hopoate, Lindop, King, Ashton; Williams, Irwin; Byrne, Walker, Harrison, Bentley, Stone, Currie.
Interchanges: Yates, Powell, Philbin, Tanginoa.
Referee: Chris Kendall.
