REPORT | Widnes 2-2 Mossley

Goals from Ben Hodkinson and Josh Klein-Davies earned Widnes a draw at home to Mossley in the Preliminary Round of the Emirates FA Cup.

The Whites fought back from 2-0 down and now face a trip to Seel Park early next month for a replay and a chance to move on to the First Qualifying Round.

Mossley had led at the break through an early Declan Evans goal and a Ben Halfacre strike on the stroke of half-time, but Widnes rallied in the blazing heat at the Halton Stadium to ensure that they’re in the hat for Tuesday’s draw.

Hodkinson struck an early goal-of-the-season contender to halve the visitors’ advantage 20 minutes from time before Klein-Davies notched a deserved equaliser eight minutes later.

Widnes made one enforced change to the side that beat Droylsden in midweek, with Joe Herbert coming in for the suspended Danny Shaw at centre-half while George Webster and Mike Burke were both named amongst the substitutes.

The visiting Lilywhites started the brighter and took a sixth-minute lead. Former Liverpool forward Adam Morgan nodded a cross back across goal for Evans to tap the opener into an empty net.

It was a slow and laboured start from Widnes’ point-of-view, but they did respond well with Fisnik Hajdari stinging the gloves of Dylan Forth from distance.

While seeing plenty of the ball, Mossley didn’t create too many chances and it was Widnes who were next to threaten with James Steele seeing an effort well saved by Forth, with Hodkinson nodding wide after Lewis Buckley floated the ball back into the area.

Six minutes before the break, Mossley doubled their advantage. Lewis Hatch won possession back and quickly threaded a pass through to Halfacre, who turned away from Herbert to clinically slot beyond Wheeler.

Into the second half, Widnes upped their tempo and intensity in a period that they largely dominated. A switch of formation to 4-4-2 and the introduction of Klein-Davies following the hour-mark from the bench would ultimately prove pivotal.

As the half went on, Widnes began to hit their stride and were rewarded with a lifeline 20 minutes from time.

After Mossley could only half-clear a Steele cross, the ball sat nicely for Hodkinson just outside the area who unleashed a rocket of a volley into the top corner and despite the despairing dive of Forth, Widnes were back in the game.

It was a sensational strike from Hodkinson who continues his fine form to begin the season – a fourth goal in just three competitive outings.

The Whites again rolled the dice with the introduction of Chris Lomax as Hodkinson shifted inside to join Klein-Davies up-front against a retreating Mossley backline.

And Widnes were level 11 minutes from time. The hosts, ever so dangerous on the counter-attack, punished a lacklustre Mossley side. Hodkinson led the charge and found the lung-busting run of Steele on the right and, when the former Newcastle Town man struck a first-time cross, Klein-Davies converted at the back-post to level.

From that point onwards, it looked like there’d only be one winner and Widnes pushed on for a result that would make club history.

Michael Grogan, off the bench as a substitute, rose highest to meet a delicious Shaun Holden cross but he could only nod into the grateful gloves of Forth.

While Morgan briefly threatened on the break for Mossley only to be denied by Wheeler, Widnes came back again and Godwin Abadaki was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when he felled Holden in the area, but referee Alexander Beckett wasn’t interested.

No one would have been able to argue with the results had Widnes nicked it late on, but Mossley survived and held on for a replay despite Hodkinson having a half-hearted penalty appeal turned down deep in second-half stoppage time.