REPORT | Widnes 1-1 Newcastle Town

Ben Hodkinson netted seven minutes from time as Widnes earned a point in a 1-1 at home to Newcastle Town after being reduced to 10 men.

Widnes had to endure 88 minutes with a numerical disadvantage as Ben Cartwright was sent for an early bath 90 seconds into the game as he was adjudged to be last man by referee Adam Brown after fouling Christopher Smith.

Joint managers Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey made five changes to the side beaten at Droylsden on Saturday. Ryan Neild made his debut in goal, replacing the ever-present Richie Mottram who missed only his second game for Widnes in 61 games.

Elsewhere, the Whites were boosted by the return of Michael Grogan from a four-game ban while Conor Ready made his debut after signing from Marine. Cartwright and Dale Korie-Butler earned recalls while Mike Burke was only fit enough to make the bench.

Michael Conlon put Newcastle ahead on the 26-minute mark, but Widnes showed plenty of endeavour and desire to restrict the visitors to a handful of chances, and to control large periods of the contest.

It looked as though Widnes would fall to a third straight defeat in all competitions, when Hodkinson netted a superb finish late on to level the scoreline to ensure that the Whites picked up a valuable Evo-Stik Division One West point.