WIDNES Wild returned from Sunday's short trip to south Manchester with a share of the spoils against the Altrincham Aces.

The game was billed as an exciting and close game with not much between two strong Laidler Conference sides – and that is how it turned out with the teams sharing eight goals.

It was the home side who would start the strongest, pinning the Wild into their own end for long spells before eventually breaking through to open the scorer.

The Wild however, would come back fighting with goals from Michal Fico and returning Captain Shaun Dippnall finding the back of the net to give the travelling team a 2-1 advantage at the end of the first period.

Scott McKenzie found the net on the power play at the start of the second period to make it 3-1 to the Wild.

A mistake in defence saw the Aces get a goal back before the 2nd intermission to make it 3-2 to the Wild.

With just 20 minutes to play it was still extremely close but it was the Widnes side that extended their lead to 4-2.

A lovely flowing move would see Scott McKenzie find the back of the net for the second time of the evening.

Almost immediately the Aces responded, a shot from the blue line deflected past young Wild net minder Josh Benstead to bring the score back to 4-3.

Then with six minutes to go, a lapse in defence from the Wild saw the home side level the score at 4-4.

The final minutes were extremely tense with both teams going for the win but failing to break through.

A draw was probably the fairest result but with having a two goal lead, the Wild players were sure to be a little disappointed not to get the full two points.

A fantastic advert for British hockey with both teams battling right until the end.

The Wild return to action this coming weekend as the travel to Blackburn on Saturday then return home to face the same team, Blackburn Eagles at Silver Blades Widnes, 5.30pm face-off.

Meanwhile. the Widnes Wild would like to send their condolences to the family and friends of Antony Morris who sadly passed away last weekend.

Antony played ice hockey at Widnes Silver Blades and was a friendly and good natured person, he will be sadly missed by all.