Featherstone Rovers 30 Widnes Vikings 22: Saxton's injury takes gloss off of Featherstone's defeat of Widnes

Trailing 12-10 early in the second-half, Rovers recovered to lead 24-12 and then survived a late fightback by Widnes.

Kyle Briggs sealed victory two minutes from time when he scored a clever solo try and then kicked his fifth goal.

However, Featherstone's win came at a cost as they lost Tommy Saxton with a suspected broken ankle.

Rovers took charge with two quick tries. Stuart Dickens sent Matty Dale charging over then Saxton's superb break led to Liam Finn, Briggs and Sam Smeaton putting in Zak Hardaker.

Featherstone were down to 12 men at the start of the second period after Dane Manning was sin-binned for holding down shortly before half-time.

Widnes capitalised on the extra man to snatch the lead with two tries in five minutes.

Chris Gerrard sidestepped his way over before Matt Gardner weaved his way through to score after juggling with the ball.

Shane Grady kicked both conversions to put the Vikings ahead but Rovers stormed back.

Finn went over from acting half and his teasing kick then created a try for Johnny Grayshon.

Briggs landed his fourth goal to give Featherstone a 12 point lead but Widnes cut the gap to 24-22 when David Allen's 70th-minute try that Grady converted was followed by a touchdown from Shaun Ainscough.

With the outcome on a knife-edge, Briggs darted over superbly from 25 metres out for the clinching score to condemn Northern Rail Cup finalists Widnes to a fifth straight league defeat.

Featherstone Rovers: Hardman; Hardaker, Smeaton, Welham, Saxton; Briggs, Finn; Tonks, Kaye, Dickens, Field, Spears, Dale. Substitutes: Kain, Grayshon, Manning, Divorty.

Widnes Vikings: Flynn; Ainscough, Varkulis, Gardner, Gaskell; Thackeray, Smith; Gannon, Netherton, Kavanagh, Grady, Allen, Doran. Substitutes: Gerrard, Houghton, Kelly, K Haggerty.

Referee: J Leahy (RFL).