Widnes showed resolve and gritty determination to earn a point at home to Clitheroe on Tuesday night.

The Whites were forced to be patient in an attritional affair against a talented side, but Michael Ellison’s team could have won it late on but George Hassall wildly struck over from a good position.

Goalkeeper Cameron Terry, meanwhile, tipped a Max Cane effort on to the post in the first half as defences came out on top in difficult windy conditions at the DCBL Stadium.

As it was, neither side could muster a breakthrough and Widnes now turn their attention to a crunch bottom of the table clash with Ramsbottom United on Saturday.

Manager Ellison handed debuts to both Steven Irwin and Matty Rain, switching things up with a 3-4-3 formation, designed to cope with the menacing aerial threat of Clitheroe frontman Sefton Gonzales.

And the tactical switch proved successful, as Gonzales only lasted 45 minutes before being substituted at the break, largely kept quiet by Mike Burke at the heart of the Widnes backline.

They also had to deal with the long throw of Lee Pugh, who’s ability to launch the ball into the six-yard box was utilised often by Clitheroe, but aside from a brief warning in the opening minutes, keeper Terry and his marshals dealt with the threat well.

Billy Priestley’s visitors enjoyed plenty of possession, but aside from two Max Cane shots, both tremendously saved by Terry, they didn’t create too many chances on an impotent night for forwards.

Both sides were restricted to half-chances in the second half.

Irwin wasn’t too far away from 30 yards, striking a dipping effort narrowly over while substitute Reece Webb-Foster missed the target with a snapshot for Clitheroe.

In fact, both teams had their best chances inside stoppage time.

Player-manager Billy Priestley could only head into the arms of Terry unmarked from a deep cross in what was arguably a let-off from a Widnes point-of-view.

But the Whites really should have stolen the points with seconds to go.

Will Jones engineered space to guide a through ball through to Hassall. His first touch was excellent to take the ball away from Cameron Lancaster and into the area. He only had Chris Thompson to beat, but he blazed over from 15 yards out as the spoils were shared.