A JOE Mellor drop-goal 90 seconds from full-time snatched a dramatic 23-22 victory over Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Carnegie Stadium.

It was a win that goes a long way to securing the Vikings' Super League status and it could hardly have come in more heart-stopping fashion.

Mellor's one-pointer was the cue for wild celebrations behind the posts at the west side of the ground where the away fans were gathered - and rightly so.

Widnes started nervously with a couple of errors inviting Rhinos pressure.

On six minutes Leeds took a deserved lead as England centre Kallum Watkins shot in between Chris Houston and Macgraff Leuluai to touch down with Liam Sutcliffe converting.

The Vikings finally managed to establish a bridgehead in opposition territory and looked certain to hit back when Mellor crossed the whitewash but the half-back somehow failed to ground the ball.

On 15 minutes, Widnes scored a legal try when right winger Corey Thompson popped up on the left hand side to dummy his way over from close range to make it 6-4.

The Rhinos increased their lead with a Ryan Hall try from a Danny McGuire cross-kick with Widnes defenders appearing to leave the ball to each other.

Sutcliffe missed the goal but was on target two minutes later when a break up the left ended up with Joel Moon crossing for the Rhinos despite Patrick Ah Van's best efforts.

With seven minutes of the half remaining, the Vikings got themselves back in it when Mellor ducked his way under the posts with Hanbury adding the extras to make it 16-10 at the break.

Widnes struggled to build pressure early in the second period despite enjoying a fair amount of possession.

Instead it was the Rhinos who went up the other end and prop Mitch Garbutt rumbled over a little too easily to stretch his side's advantage to 22-10.

A superb Kevin Brown break and kick almost led to another Thompson try but the move fizzled out.

However, just minutes later Brown's long pass sent Ah Van in at the left corner with Hanbury goaling superbly.

Suddenly Denis Betts' men were on a roll and when Leeds spilled a bomb Jack Buchanan picked up the loose ball and handed on to Hanbury who weaved his way to the line. His goal levelled things up at 22-22.

There was plenty of time still to play but nerves became apparent from both sides.

Leeds had several chances to set up drop-goal opportunities but showed a lack of organisation and composure.

Brown had a shot for the Vikings but sliced it - it was breathless stuff.

Widnes worked their way into position again.

This time it was Mellor's sweet strike that floated between the posts to the delight of the Vikings travelling army.

Leeds: Sutcliffe; L Briscoe, Watkins, Moon, Hall; McGuire, Burrow; Galloway, Jones-Buchanan, Garbutt, Ferres, Achurch, Singleton. Subs: Cuthbertson, Golding, Ablett, Keinhorst.

Widnes: Hanbury; Thompson, Marsh, Runciman, Ah Van; Mellor, Brown; Cahill, White, Buchanan, Houston, Dean, Leuluai. Subs: Heremaia, Dudson, Whitley, Manuokafoa.

Half-Time: 16-10 Referee: Mr B Thaler