Despite seeing a lot of the ball and creating plenty of chances, Widnes struggled to put a resilient Gate defence to the sword and were ultimately punished by Ryan Charnley's injury time winner.

"To be honest, I thought we were poor," Akrigg said.

"I thought that we played well for the first 15 minutes of the first half. We played short passes and got the ball wide well, opening up gaps and creating chances. For some reason after that, we stopped playing and started lumping the ball to their centre-halves without being told to.

"We lacked any real patience and rushed too much. Once we hadn't opened them up, we started playing the long ball which isn't how we play football.

"I know we had a couple of big chances, with their keeper making a great late save, but I don't think that we did enough. We didn't move the ball quick enough and involve the wide lads enough.

"Unfortunately, I'm saying the same things again as we've conceded another late goal from a cross, which has become a problem.

"We've worked on it in training on Tuesday and for that to happen again is extremely disappointing. I know that we've changed the side which makes it a bit different but there was three mistakes in the build-up to that goal.

"It's happening time and time again which is completely unacceptable."

Widnes received a boost prior to the game with Chris Lomax committing to the side after a brief stint at Marine on a dual registration deal. River Humphreys has also re-signed following spells at Radcliffe and Runcorn Linnets earlier this season with Ben Hodkinson completing a move from Bootle.

Akrigg has welcomed the additions and hopes all three can makes quick contributions.

He said: "In the long run, all three will be great additions.

"River hasn't played a lot of football and that is probably his first 90 minutes for a while. Chris has been in and out of the team at Marine and come back in, and Ben's come in from Bootle. They'll all strengthen the squad and provide competition for places.

"The competition is a good thing. As a player, competition made me want to play better so it challenges players to bring their best.

"We have to start putting a run together now. Credit to Squires Gate, they had a gameplan that worked and we helped them by playing the game that they wanted us to play."

Next up for Widnes is a Halton Derby against Runcorn Town on Wednesday night. With Town having only dropped points twice in the league so far, and come into the game as undefeated league leaders, Akrigg is challenging his side to rise to the occasion and pick up a positive result.

"It'll be a really tough game. Runcorn have started the season really well," Akrigg said.

"We proved against Bootle that we can produce performances but we have to establish some consistency. There's little point in producing a great performance every other game.

"Consistency is the difference between being towards the top of the table, and being a mid-table side.

"Nobody wants to be a mid-table side. The lads don't and I certainly don't, but it's up to us to change that."