ACCRINGTON must be wondering how they let victory slip as they ran in two first half tries, scored 14 points, only to lose in the dying minutes.

The home side stuck to their game plan and took early control through a fine try from Ian Coates and penalty from Steve Ellis.

Nick Cook then scored a wonderful individual try when he dribbled the ball from just inside the Saints half, picked up and showed the visitor's full back a clean set of heels to score under the posts.

Accrington went in at the break 14-0 up with their hard work paying dividends.

However, that hard work started to take its toll as St Maries began to claw their way back into the game as the home team tired.

And it was in the last seconds of the game that victory was snatched away from Accrington when the Widnes team crossed for the winning score.

Accrington travel to Langworthy this weekend (KO 2.30pm).

ACCRINGTON...14

WIDNES ST MARIES...16