An Andrew Hill free-kick on the stroke of half-time ended Widnes’ hopes of reaching a second semi-final this season as Joey Dunn’s side were narrowly beaten by Hallmark Security League Premier Division side Barnoldswick Town at the Select Security Stadium.

In a quarter-final tie bereft of clear-cut openings, it was Hill’s free-kick that handed Barlick a semi-final tie with Bootle that will be played over two legs.

Manager Dunn was without a number of key-players for the visit of Barlick. With Kev Pollard banned, Sam Sheen and Billy Webb cup-tied and Danny Hand and Kev Towey unavailable, Jamie Clark was handed his first start for the Club as Adam Weston and Steve Akrigg returned to the starting lineup.

Meanwhile, Danny Laverty was included in the squad for only the second time under Joey Dunn, having last featured for Widnes in the 4-1 win at Cheadle Town in late September.

Widnes ‘keeper Owen Wheeler was called into action early on, as Mark Threlfall met a Ben Gorman free-kick with a glancing header, forcing the shot-stopper into a comfortable save.

The hosts threatened shortly after the 10-minute mark. Weston’s up and under released George Lomax who did well to hold off Matthew Cavanagh but the Widnes striker could only volley over.

Barlick ‘keeper Jordan Gidley produced a terrific save to keep the scoreline level midway through the half. Jack Graham’s well-weighted cross was met by Akrigg in the area, but Gidley did well to brilliantly tip the defender’s goalbound header wide for a corner.

The Premier Division side then went even closer on the half-hour mark. Striker Threlfall had too much time to fire a half-volley against the foot of the post, with the ball bouncing away to safety, much to Widnes’ relief.

Widnes’ best chance of the half came seven minutes before half-time. George Lomax robbed Jonathan Hodgkinson of possession on the halfway line before surging forward. However, he seemed to be caught in two minds as he could only shoot straight at the on-rushing Gidley.

Referee James Madine drew the ire of Widnes moments later. An astray Barlick back-pass cannoned off of Hodgkinson’s arm preventing George Lomax from racing on to the loose ball. Widnes were incensed as referee Madine waved off their protests for handball.

Barlick took the lead on the stroke of half-time. After River Humphreys was penalised for a late challenge on the edge of the D, Andrew Hill fired a free-kick through the Widnes wall and into the far corner, beyond the outstretched Wheeler.

Halftime: Widnes 0-1 Barnoldswick Town

Chances were once again hard to come by in the second half, but Widnes slowly took control of the game and began their search for an equaliser.

Luke J Edwards played a neat one-two with George Lomax before the ball ran away from him slightly once he burst into the area, and his effort in the end was tame.

Widnes again went close minutes later as Tom Mitchell looked destined to turn Akrigg’s cut-back home but a crucial intervention from Barlick’s Shaun Airey prevented the defender from netting his third goal in two games.

Both teams struggled to create further chances before Barlick’ keeper Gidley was called into action once again, as he rushed off his line quickly to make a good stop from Chris Lomax’s close-range effort.

Manager Dunn looked to Laverty and Michael Burns for inspiration but Barlick’s hard-working and solid defensive performance kept Widnes at bay inside the closing stages.

Striker Chad Whyte was also introduced to offer something different offensively for Widnes and he was involved in a major talking point inside second-half stoppage time.

Whyte rose highest to send a looping header towards goal that nestled in the back of the net, only for the Widnes man to be penalised for a soft foul on ‘keeper Gidley by referee Madine, much to the striker’s bemusement.

Fulltime: Widnes 0-1 Barnoldswick Town

Widnes will look to bounce back from their exit in one competition by progressing to the final of another.

A trip to Bootle beckons for Dunn’s side as they face City of Liverpool in the second leg of the Reusch First Division Cup semi-final. Widnes must overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg in order to reach the final.