Steve Akrigg was pleased with his side's second-half response as Widnes recovered from two goals down to draw with Mossley and earn a replay in the Emirates FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Mossley comfortably led at the break but Widnes fought back and ensured that they would be in the hat for the draw for the First Qualifying Round after goals from Ben Hodkinson and Josh Klein-Davies.

Widnes had a huge penalty shout turned down inside stoppage time when Shaun Holden was felled by Godwin Abadaki, but it wasn't to be with the two sides due to meet again in early September.

Speaking after the game, Akrigg voiced his frustration at Widnes' first-half performance but insisted that his side were unfortunate not to win the game.

"I think we deserved to at least draw in the end based on our second half showing," Akrigg said.

"We started really slow and perhaps we showed them too much respect. We've conceded two soft goals from crosses in the first half and we asked for a response in the second half and to focus on doing what we're good at.

"I thought that Mossley tired to be honest and we made changes off the bench with Chrissy (Lomax), (Michael) Groges and Josh (Klein-Davies) to give us a little bit more energy.

"They started to retreat and invite the pressure and we've scored two goals from that. Ben has scored a great goal and I'm made up for Josh again. He's come off the bench with the right attitude and scored an important goal.

"I'm a little bit disappointed that we didn't get the penalty on Shaun. I thought it was a clear penalty but obviously the referee hasn't give it and we move on.

"In the end, I'm looking at it and thinking that we could have won the game. Maybe we should have."

Widnes again produced another good performance to earn a replay, and Akrigg feels that the draw against Mossley is a good indication of where his side are at after three games to begin the new campaign.

He said: "I haven't seen a team play through our shape yet. We've conceded from crosses but no one is playing through us and creating chances.

"I can't remember Mossley having too many chances in the game so from that point-of-view, we've now played three games where our shape has worked and we're not getting broken down which is a really good sign for us moving forward.

"This game was a little bit different because we've had to come back from two goals down which is a real test of character.

"I told the lads at half-time to remember what happened at Ramsbottom. I know we lost a man in that game, but it was similar to today because sometimes when you concede a goal, you can see pressure start to build and I think that went in our favour.

"I'm made up that the lads came back to at least earn a draw."