Bulls pushed Widnes Vikings all the way at Halton Stadium before losing 25-20, with a controversial decision to disallow a late try by Elliot Minchella proving crucial.

Check out our player ratings and game review.

Man of the match: Elliot Minchella. Thrust into a stand-off role that is not natural to him, he kicked four goals and created tries for Foggin-Johnston and Farrell.

Moan of the match: Minchella’s late try that was disallowed by referee Gareth Hewer for a supposed obstruction.

Moment of the match: See above - had Minchella's try been allowed, Bulls would almost certainly have won with an easy kick to follow.

Tactics: Elliot Minchella returned for the Bulls after a broken nose while Jordan Lilley was rued out with a ‘dead leg’, while Matty Garside came in for Jake Webster

PLAYER RATINGS

VIKINGS: Jack Owens 7, Keanan Brand 6, Chris Dean 6, Anthony Gelling 6, Ryan Ince 7, Danny Craven 7, Tom Gilmore 7, Hep Cahill 7, Jordan Johnstone 8, Harrison Hansen 6, Sam Wilde 6, Brad Walker 6, MacGraff Leuluai 6. Interchange: Ted Chapelhow 6, Lloyd Roby 6, Jay Chapelhow 6, Owen Farnworth 6.

BULLS: Brandon Pickersgill 6, David Foggin-Johnston 7, Rhys Evans 6, Ross Oakes 7, Ethan Ryan 6, Elliot Minchella 8, Matty Wildie 7, Liam Kirk 7, Sam Hallas 7, Steve Crossley 7, Matty Garside 6, Connor Farrell 7, Mikey Wood 6. Interchange: George Flanagan 7, Callum Bustin 6, James Green 7, Matty Storton 6.

GAME GUIDE

Vikings – Tries: Brand, Ince, Craven, Johnstone; goals: Owens 4 from 5, drop goal Craven.

Bulls – Tries: Foggin-Johnston, Farrell, Green; goals: Minchella 4 from 4.

Half-time: 14-12.

Referee: Gareth Hewer.

Attendance: 5335

Penalties gained: Vikings 10 Bulls 11

Goal-line drop-outs: Bulls 1 Widnes 3