THE defeat was heavier than that of seven days ago but the criticism will not be half as fierce.

York City Knights lost 40-18 to Widnes yesterday to stay point-less in National League One. But, the scoreline aside, the performance restored some of the pride lost in the 41-34 defeat at Batley.

If there were question marks over the commitment in defence last week, there can be little doubt this time that Mick Cook's men gave 100 per cent and more.

The problem, though, lay elsewhere. York's handling in the first half was slack, with a mixture of poor fumbles and forced passes allowing the Vikings to build an unassailable interval lead.

It seemed they were simply trying too hard when at times a cool head or a couple of simple sets was needed. Oh, for a Lee Jackson.

Against the likes of full-timers Widnes looking far more dangerous than when the sides last met they were always going to pay, no matter that the defence was much improved not least with several desperate tackles denying certain tries.

This payment came in the form of Widnes' four first half tries and, despite a spirited second half performance which included three tries and up to four more crossed off, the damage was done.

Cook, though, will face less flak this week. He dropped under-fire half-back Paul Thorman, with Lee Paterson switching to stand-off in the continued absence of Phil Hasty. The move paid off as the club captain caused Widnes problems, especially running at the defensive line down the left flank.

The fit-again Dan Potter and Mark Blanchard were also back as substitutes and both made a difference when coming on while the hard-working Jon Liddell moved to loose-forward, which in turn meant Jamaine Wray got to start, fans thus getting their wish.

Two hurried passes from Wray, however, wasted the Knights' first opportunity, while a rushed pass in York's own half gifted Widnes' Gavin Dodd the opening try, Mick Nanyn booting the first of his six goals.

It seemed York were trying to play with a freedom which belied their losing run, and it paid off in style as Chris Spurr, Wray, Paterson and Peter Fox took play from one end to the other and Rhodes' kick to the corner was knocked back for Paterson to finish.

But that spirit was at times misplaced and, while some errors were manfully atoned for in defence, others were not.

They gave a penalty away when in possession and fit-again Widnes prop Terry O'Connor blasted over, while desperate defence was finally breached when Nanyn had space out wide.

York had chances to build pressure but simple fumbles cost them, especially when stand-off Dennis Moran finished well for a 24-4 half-time lead.

Moran, plus Widnes' two other new-boys from Wigan second-rows Jordan James and Oliver Wilkes started in arguably the Vikings' strongest line-up, which included 11 ex-Warriors.

One of them, superb hooker Mark Smith, shone as he put Moran in, then sprinted in himself to catch York sleeping from a tap penalty.

Before those two tries, however, York had been thrice cruelly denied.

Quick hands from Potter put Austin Buchanan into a tight space but the touch judge deemed the winger was tackled into the flag when scoring.

Then Paterson twice scythed through and, when hauled down inches short, got passes out to Mark Blanchard. Both times Blanchard appeared to be tackled without the ball, but Oldham referee Ian Smith thought otherwise.

York still got three more tries, though.

Rhodes beat his man and put full-back Matt Blaymire sprinting in, and after Mark Smith got his second try, Blaymire finished well again following a Potter break.

Wray had unsuccessfully taken over goal-kicking duties in Thorman's absence and Neil Law also twice failed to find touch with penalties but Paterson took the tee to convert this try and then crossed again himself when receiving an off-load from David Buck-ley to round off a super move.

A fifth home try would have put a fairer reflection on the game but ref Smith denied Buchanan due to a forward pass in a frantic last play.

Match facts:

Knights: Blaymire 7, Buchanan 7, Spurr 6, Law 5, Fox 7, Paterson 8, Rhodes 7, Sullivan 6, Wray 6, Helme 7, J Smith 5, Buckley 7, Liddell 6. Subs (all used): Blanchard 7, Ward 5, Potter 7, Bates 6.

Tries: Paterson 13, 78; Blaymire 63, 73. Conversions: Paterson 73. Penalties: None. Drop-goals: None.

Sin-binned: None. Sent off: None.

Vikings: Dodd, Kirkpatrick, Bowman, Nanyn, Greenwood, Moran, O'Connor, M Smith, McDermott, James, Wilkes, Beswick. Subs (all used): Coyle, Cassidy, Woods, Tandy.

Tries: Dodd 7; O'Connor 19; Nanyn 28; Moran 39, 55; Smith 59, 70. Conversions: Nanyn 7, 19, 28, 39, 55, 70. Penalties: None. Drop-goals: None.

Sin-binned: None. Sent off: None.

Man of the match: Lee Paterson.

Confounded his critics with an all-action display in an unaccustomed role of stand-off, making breaks aplenty, scoring two tries and setting up chances which on another day would have brought more points.

Referee: Ian Smith (Oldham) Rating: Several questionable decisions, but probably best to leave judgment to the video. Penalty count: 7-5.

Attendance: 1,563.

HT: 4-24.

Weather watch: Pleasant.

Gamebreaker: Dennis Moran's try just before half-time left the Knights with a mountain they were always unlikely to scale.

Moment of the match: The fans humorously taunting each other with chants of "Are you Wigan in disguise?".

Match rating: An entertaining match, albeit splattered with mistakes, even when the game was effectively up not long after half-time.