Bolton did their chances of staying up a world of good by comfortably beating fourth placed Widnes at Mortfield Pavilion.

Despite taking an early three point lead, the visitors were never quite at the races, and they soon conceded a couple of quick fire tries to trail 14 – 3.

Their hopes were raised when Paul O’Connor scored after a long distance raid, but they continued to self implode allowing Bolton to add a further Bolton try and a penalty to make the score 22 – 8 at half time.

On 56 minutes, scrum half Andrew O’Neill crossed for the visitors raising hopes of a Widnes comeback, but it wasn’t to be, and it was Bolton who finished with a flourish by adding another converted try and a penalty right at the death to seal a famous victory.