WIDS' coach Dave Moran stayed defiant and positive after seeing his luckless charges being denied their first victory of the season in North Two West.

The former Widnes RL star was disappointed but upbeat.

He said: 'The players have really stepped up a gear in the last few weeks, and it is frustrating that they are not being rewarded with a win that they really do deserve'.

The visitors were slow out of the blocks against a side un-beaten at home this season.

Bowdon made them pay with two quick tries for a 10-0 lead.

Widnes slowly clawed their way back with Peter Logan and Adam Higham catching the eye. On 25 minutes, the forwards created a useful platform for Mike Bowles to score close enough to the posts for captain Stu Hussey to convert.

Widnes were playing with confidence and Hussey added a penalty to level at the break.

Ten minutes into the second half, Widnes again capitalised on some terrific forward play from Paul Borg, Nick Fellows and Mark Loughnane.

Centre Mike Bowles put Hussey in for a try which gave Widnes the lead for the first time. Bowdon recovered and soon equalised with another try and the game was back in the melting pot at 15-15 with 20 minutes left. Moments later, a midfield altercation involving both sides led to the referee dispatching two Widnes players to the sin-bin.

It was always going to be difficult for the visitors to hold on and as they tired through the amount of defensive work they carried out, Bowdon eased their way home, adding two further tries and a conversion.

Widnes 2nd 10 Blackburn 17:

Man-of-the-match Mark Brick came close to levelling from a last-gasp 40-metre charge.

But leaders Blackburn, having lost just once all season, held on despite a terrific all-round effort from the Widnes forwards.

Wids always expected a physical game but they also fell foul of debatable refereeing which saw them at one stage reduced to 12 men.

Wids dominated the first quarter and a comfortable win looked on the cards when Leedam's penalty was followed by a converted try by Elwell.

But a series of penalties allowed Blackburn to gain valuable ground and they touched down from a rolling maul, adding the conversion and a penalty goal.

Widnes were under the cosh in the second half, spirited defending initially keeping Blackburn out but Blackburn crossed for a converted try when Wids were two men short.

Newcomer Freeman again excelled under pressure while winger Buckle was solid.

The seconds host Waterloo on Saturday (2.15pm).