THE PRESENCE of England coach Wayne Bennett failed to inspire either side at the Select Security Stadium.

It was sub-standard fare which probably wouldn't concern Vikings fans too much if it wasn't also accompanied by a 7-0 defeat for their team.

The early stages were nip and tuck with neither side finding their attacking rhythm.

A couple of penalties for foul play allowed the Vikings to establish a spell of concerted pressure on the opposition line but it came to nothing as Corey Thompson was bundled into touch near the corner flag.

Some indiscretions at the other end allowed Wigan a similar spell of pressure but they were met by solid Widnes defence.

Vikings winger Patrick Ah Van made a break up the left flank on 22 minutes but the Warriors cover defence was up to the task.

Three minutes later Vikings' second row Matt Whitley had a try disallowed for a knock-on after he followed up a Joe Mellor kick.

A mistake by Thompson running the ball away from his own line gave Wigan a chance but England winger Josh Charnley was held up over the line.

The invisible force that seemed to be protecting both trylines came to the fore again as Ah Van knocked on with a try beckoning.

And Rhys Hanbury came within inches of scoring the first points of the half but was tackled agonisingly short.

Given the general scrappiness of the play, it was perhaps fitting the first half closed with no points on the board.

Widnes skipper Kevin Brown went close early in the second half but lost the ball as he attempted to touch down.

Eventually it was the Warriors that broke the deadlock when quick hands to the left gave Charnley the space to cut back inside the cover for a try converted by Matty Smith.

Errors continued to proliferate and Smith's game sense told him to opt for a drop-goal with 23 minutes remaining to make it 7-0.

Widnes looked certain to hit back when Chris Dean went on a fantastic 60 metre burst to the line on 63 minutes but he too lost control of the ball in the act of scoring.

Shortly afterwards Hep Cahill was held up over the line - it just wasn't going to the Vikings' night.

Try as they might in the last 15 minutes, Denis Betts' men justy couldn't produce the killer play to get back in the match.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Bridge, Runciman, Ah Van; Mellor, Brown; Cahill, White, Buchanan, Whitley, Dean, Leuluai. Subs: Heremaia, Dudson, Manuokafoa, Chapelhow.

Wigan: Tierney; Charnley, Gelling, Gildart, Manfredi; Shorrocks, Smith; Crosby, Powell, Flower, Isa, Sutton, Mossop. Tautai, Burke, Gregson, Bretherton.

Half-Time: 0-0 Referee: Mr C Kendall Attendance: 6,219