The Vikings fell to a 20-16 defeat against Doncaster on a disappointing afternoon at the DCBL Stadium.
Allan Coleman’s side came from behind to take the lead against the 11-man Dons, but ultimately surrendered their advantage late on.
The visitors made a strong start, opening the scoring through Greg Burns, who burrowed over from close range. Edene Gebbie then crossed in the corner shortly after to extend the Dons’ lead to 10-0.
The game took a concerning turn when Jake Maizen was on the receiving end of a nasty-looking tackle that resulted in him being stretchered from the field. Play was suspended for around 45 minutes.
When the match resumed, Gebbie was shown a red card for the challenge. Moments later, tempers flared again following a dangerous high shot from Suaia Matagi, who also received his marching orders. Vikings loose forward Nick Gregson was sent to the sin bin for running in during the aftermath.
Despite being down to 11 men, Doncaster struck next. Reece Lyne broke through the defence before powering over to push the lead out to 14-0.
The Vikings responded just before the break, finally capitalising on their numerical advantage as Max Roberts crossed out wide to reduce the deficit.
Early in the second half, Ben Condon marked his first try for the club, latching onto a short ball from Matty Fozard to cut the gap further.
The Vikings then took the lead for the first time in the match as Rhys Williams raced onto a deft Dec Patton kick to touch down in the corner.
Adam Lawton went close to extending the lead with 15 minutes remaining, but the towering forward lost his footing and knocked on with the try line begging.
An error in possession gifted Doncaster a rare attacking opportunity in the second half, and they took full advantage. Craig Hall pounced on a spilled kick from Fozard to edge the visitors back in front.
Widnes looked set to steal the win late on with an overlap on the left edge, but a wayward pass from Patton let the chance slip away.
A late high tackle allowed Doncaster to kick a penalty and extend their lead to four, and they held firm in the closing stages to consign the Vikings to a third defeat in four games.
We turn our attention to a must-win game against Bradford Bulls next Sunday at the DCBL Stadium. Tickets are available HERE.
TEAMS AND SCORERS
Widnes Vikings: Maizen, Butt, M Roberts, Edge, Williams, Patton, W Roberts, Murray, Johnstone, Bent, Condon, Lawton, Gregson
Interchanges: Fleming, McWhirter, Fozard, Wood, Bennion (18th)
Tries: M Roberts, Condon, Williams
Goals: W Roberts x2
Doncaster: Hall, Briscoe, Lyne, Hey, Gebbie, Boas, Robinson, Matagi, Burns, Baldwinson, Smeaton, Jones, Hepi
Interchanges: Johnston, Pauli, Bowden, Misky, Mafi (18th)
Tries: Burns, Gebbie, Lyne, Hall
Goals: Robinson, Hall
ATTENDANCE: 2,722
