RAMSBOTTOM suffered back-to-back home defeats as they were beaten 1-0 at home to a resolute Widnes side on a frustrating day in front of goal for Chris Willcock’s side.

Having excelled at times under Willcock this season, the opening 45 minutes will be easily forgotten as few clear-cut chances were created.

It took until the 20th minute for an attempt on goal, right-back Kyle Jacobs unleashing a shot that Widnes keeper Owen Wheeler matched with a good save.

Eddie Moran and Jason carey also had chances but both fired wide.

Despite the home side enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Widnes had the best chance of the half.

Michael Grogan’s through ball found striker Ben Hodkinson, but Sam Ashton kept the game goalless with a brilliant double save.

Widnes did have the ball in the net, but a perceived handball saw it chalked off and the two teams turned around level at 0-0.

Rammy came out firing in the second half and should have taken the lead through February’s player of the month, Nic Evangelinos.

Jamie Rother’s cut-back found Evangelinos, who saw his first effort blocked and drilled his follow-up wide.

Rammy’s best chance came when striker Jason Carey was through on goal but failed to hit the target.

And Rammy were made to pay as Widnes scored the game’s only goal in the 74th minute.

A defensive mix-up at the back led to Hodkinson intercepting a misplaced pass and following up with a smart finish that beat Ashton at the far post.

Ramsbottom responded in strong fashion, but were left wondering what might have been by the time referee Carl Rooney blew the whistle for full time.

Dead-ball specialist Tom Kennedy tried his luck with a free kick and Ruben Jerome saw a header cleared off the line. With time ticking away, Evangelinos again blazed an effort over the bar before a last-ditch Widnes challenge denied Jerome an equaliser which, on the balance of play, the home side probably deserved.

Instead Rammy fell to another defeat, the fourth under Willcock, all of which have come at home.

“I thought in the first half we created one or two decent half- chances when in previous games we would have taken them,” he said.

“In the second half we upped the tempo but our quality was lacking at times and we rushed things far too often when another pass was needed. We’ve had a couple of defeats, that’s all.

“But if we want to win next Saturday we’ll have to play a bit better. It’s all about winning and if we can, doing it in style.”