Prescot Cables manager Kevin Lynch was forced to rue missed opportunities and sloppiness from set-plays as they suffered defeat.
Goals from Widnes captain Michael Burke and striker Lloyd Dean were the difference in the derby match.
Taylor Brickell’s super-strike made for a nervy ending as Prescot Cables looked to snatch a late point but couldn’t find the back of the net.
For the Bulls, their slow start in either half saw Widnes spring to take advantage before they snapped into action.
They had a golden opportunity to take the lead when Lewis Buckley raced through but he was denied by the feet of Owen Wheeler.
Brickell and Jack Goodwin were among the key performers for the visitors as Sam O’Halleron was forced to feed off scraps, resigned to a handful of opportunities.
For Lynch, he expressed disappointment after the Widnes defeat.
“Yeah it was [disappointing] be honest, in terms of not taking our chances when they come,” he told Off The Park.
MATCH REPORT: Widnes FC 2-1 Prescot Cables: Lloyd Dean comes back to haunt Prescot Cables
“Two sloppy goals to give away, we always knew they’d be dangerous from set-pieces and we never dealt with it. Overall, it was disappointing.
“It’s probably a little bit difficult when you haven’t had a game, not making excuses, trying to get them up for it.
“I don’t know, can’t put my finger on it in terms of it being flat and stuff. We did our preparation right but it’s the lads on the pitch.
“I felt Lewis [Buckley] when he got through one-on-one should’ve buried it but when you don’t take your chances that’s what happens really.
“We always knew we had the quality to hurt them, when you’re up against these sort of teams it’s about scoring first.
“If you don’t score first and they do, they’ve got everything to hang onto, they defend very deep so it’s difficult breaking it down. But Jack [Goodwin] and Taylor [Brickell] was causing them problems.
“No regrets in terms of the personnel we’ve got to pick from, the formation and everything. It was the silly goals… we knew how dangerous they were from set-pieces and they’ve scored from two.
“It’s just one game chalked on, we dust ourselves down. We’ll train hard Tuesday and Thursday and prepare for Leek.”
[Featured image: John Middleton]
