HEYSHAM Atoms paid the price for a lethargic month as they returned to action with a 28-32 defeat against Wigan Bulldogs.

With the visitors already beaten in the away fixture and struggling for form near the wrong end of the table, Atoms were favourites to take the league points - but a month of cancellations and postponements has clearly taken its toll and the Bulldogs snapped up their chances to steal an unlikely win.

The Atoms started brightly with a try through powerful prop Dave McVernon. But the Bulldogs kept pace and replied with a try of their own down the left flank.

Liam Hall, McVernon's partner at the other side of the front row, finished off a fine handling move under the sticks with a pirouette that any back would have been proud of. And with young winger Oliver Austin relishing the goal-kicking role the Atoms were looking good to live up to their early season red-hot form.

But a purple spell of devastating tries from the Wigan side just before and after half time turned the tables and it was the Atoms who were then chasing the game.

Matt Craven jinked his way over the line and McVernon added another try to his tally with a powerful close range effort but the would-be winning score from Andy Garnett was disallowed for a forward pass.