A TRY from Anthony Thackeray four minutes from time saved Widnes’s blushes as they scraped a draw at Mount Pleasant.

Off the pace Widnes were trailing 30-16 at one point but showed good character to pull it back to 30-28 with only seconds remaining, leaving youngster Shane Grady with an attempt at goal to square it.

Grady handled the pressure superbly and he slotted it straight through the uprights to get a draw for his team.

Full strength Vikings were not at the races during a sloppy first half period in which they shipped four tries. Dangerous winger Lee Greenwood crossed for a double for the Bulldogs at the beginning and end of the first half with John Campbell and James Martin powering over to give Batley a deserved lead at the break.

Four Gareth Moore conversions didn’t help Widnes either and at 30-16 going into the dressing rooms, the Vikings had it all to do. Lee Doran managed to burst over after 13 minutes and impressive back rower Ben Kavanagh kept Widnes in touching distance with two tries in five minutes.

Campbell struck again soon after half time for Batley but new signing from Wigan, Shaun Ainscough, pounced and he raced over for two well taken tries.

The Vikings, led by James Webster, began to crank up the pressure and Thackeray pulled them from the fire with a solo effort near the end.