WIDNES boss Denis Betts is understandably relieved to have seen his side finally overcome their away-day blues.

Now he’s looking for them to take the next step against Salford Red Devils at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park on Saturday.

The Vikings' first victory of the season outside the confines of the Select Security Stadium came courtesy of 30-18 scoreline over bottom club Wakefield Trinity Wildcats at Belle Vue on Sunday.

It was a far from a complete performance as Betts was quick to acknowledge.

At times the Vikings seemed to be dragged down to the Wildcats level though they were never in any serious danger of losing the game.

But the two valuable league points moved Widnes into the top eight and as Betts pointed out, Vikings' away tally now stands comparison with that of some other illustrious names.

Betts said “At least now we’re equal with Wigan’s away record! We spoke a few weeks ago about keeping the consistency of our performances. But we need to win.

“When I spoke to the players after the game, I just said ‘We won – well done.’ That was it really.

“It was probably one of the first times we’ve gone into a game away from home where everybody was expecting us to win. We know we weren’t great but it’s another banana-skin we’ve managed to step over.

“The change in the Wakefield coach and the talk in the papers about showing some enthusiasm and desire for the club; those kind of things can have an effect. It did two years ago when we played Castleford when they’d changed their coach and they beat us at their place.”

Betts revealed that a team goal for this season is to have a positive points difference. He feels his side missed out on an opportunity for a big win which would have been a step in turning that aim into reality.

The Vikings head coach knows his side will have to show a marked improvement against Salford.

He added: “We scored 12 points then bombed another 12 by slipping over or not getting the ball down.

“We then gave them a bit of a leg up at the end of the half with a bit of a soft try. We were just making it hard for ourselves again and again.

“We didn’t really play that much, we just ground out some sets. I was disappointed in that a little bit.

“I’m disappointed because I thought our for-and-against could have been in the positive.

“One of our main goals is to be in the positive at the end of the year which is something we haven’t managed to achieve in three years. That’s what top five teams do.

“I thought it was a chance for us to do that but we’re still just that little bit off.”

Widnes open proceedings at St James’ Park on Saturday and a victory over Salford could well see them take another stride up the league ladder.

A win by more than ten would also see Betts’ men tip over into the positive in terms of points difference.