EVEN the most optimistic York City Knights fan probably went to Halton Stadium with a little trepidation.

Widnes, full-time training, Super League experience and all, provided the National League Two champions with arguably the most daunting of starts to their first campaign in NL1.

But rather than show any anxiety, Mick Cook's men clearly relished the challenge and while they returned home with no spoils, they certainly gained much from it, not least the knowledge they can compete with the NL1 big boys.

Expectations of the two sides might be wide apart, but, at four tries apiece, the only difference between them came from the boot of the deadly Mick Nanyn - he kicked four conversions to Phil Hasty's one - plus a 79th-minute drop goal from Mark Smith as the Vikings began their intended promotion campaign with a fright.

They missed injured star full-back David Peachey, but York, too, were without key packman Jason Golden and also lost in-form half-back Scott Rhodes midway through the first half to a chest injury.

Lee Paterson organised the play in his stead but Rhodes' attacking impetus was a big miss.

Yet the Knights, perhaps displaying the kind of freedom that comes with having nothing to lose, still played with attacking flair and they also put in big hits, most notably through Golden's replacement in the second row, Dave Buckley, who showed no respect for the Widnes pack's reputation.

Never-say-die tackling also proved the team have a pride that bodes well for the season.

In fact, on this showing, talk of avoiding relegation may change to talk of the play-offs, while Mick Cook's obvious disappointment at the end has its own positive spin.

The Knights looked more inventive in attack than their more illustrious hosts, especially through the half-backs early on, but in Terry O'Connor and Barrie McDermott, Widnes had power and nous up front and the home pack caused problems with offloads.

It was quick passes before the tackle, however, that broke the deadlock as Damien Reid, the former Knight now on trial at Halton Stadium, scored on 11 minutes.

It was the first time Widnes had got in away territory, but York had the bulk of the play and, despite losing the hitherto impressive Rhodes, they hit back when Neil Law, held just short, popped the ball up for Buckley to cross.

Hasty took responsibility in the halves to create openings and only a forward pass prevented Law surging towards the try-line again.

But nothing denied York the next time the superb centre got the ball. He finished a 60-metre charge by sending home winger Craig Farrell, Hasty adding his only extras for a deserved lead.

York's eager defence, plus Widnes errors, most notably when they had a two-on-none overlap only for Nanyn to drop the ball, maintained that advantage until, with the home crowd getting frustrated, the visitors were harshly punished by referee Mike Dawber.

He gave a penalty for reefing, with Nanyn benefiting from the extra set to score in the corner and convert for a fortunate 12-10 half-time lead.

Any fears Widnes would turn the screw in the second half were dispelled as they began shakily, with York taking advantage as big Dean O'Loughlin, showing the awareness of a half-back, put Matt Blaymire over.

Their lead, though, lasted barely four minutes. Hasty, inventive and frustrating in equal measure, was closed down on the last tackle and the ball was turned over just inside York's half - and Widnes were not to pass up the field position as Lee Marsh crashed in.

The hosts' errors continued to bely their aspirations of an immediate return to Super League, but the penalty count was growing in their favour and one free-kick gave them the position for Nanyn to get over again by the flag.

Marsh then broke through some tired York tackling but inexplicably dropped the ball over the line, and jitters among home supporters grew when Hasty's chip was met in the corner by Farrell for his second try.

There was only one score in it, but the restart was allowed to bounce into home hands and, while some brave tackling kept the game alive, the drop goal killed it off.

Match facts

Widnes: Cardiss, Dodd, Reid, Nanyn, Kirkpatrick, Coyle, Durbin, O'Connor, Beswick, McDermott, Cassidy, Allen, M Smith. Subs (all used): Summer, Heaton, Marsh, Draper.

Tries: Reid 11; Nanyn 37, 68; Marsh 49.

Conversions: Nanyn 11, 37, 49, 68.

Penalties: None.

Drop-goals: M Smith 79.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

Knights: Blaymire 7, Fox 7, Spicer 8, Law 8, Farrell 8, Rhodes 7, Hasty 7, Sullivan 7, Liddell 8, Bovill 7, J Smith 8, Buckley 8, Paterson 7. Subs (all used): Elston 7, Ward 7, Blanchard 8, O'Loughlin 7.

Tries: Buckley 19; Farrell 25, 74; Blaymire 45.

Conversions: Hasty 25.

Penalties: None.

Drop-goals: None.

Sin-binned: None.

Sent off: None.

o Man of the match: Craig Farrell - two tries was far from the totality of his contribution as he shared the workload and continued to develop a productive wing-centre partnership with the similarly excellent Neil Law.

HT: 12-10.

Referee: Mike Dawber (Wigan).

Rating: Okay.

Attendance: 4,024.

Penalty count: 10-4.

Gamebreaker: The Knights showed a belief in themselves which meant they were not out of it until the 79th-minute drop goal.

Moment of the match: The 60-metre run by Knights centre Neil Law down the left flank, followed by the perfectly-timed pass to put Craig Farrell in for an unlikely first-half lead.

Weather watch: Clear but breezy and far too cold for spring..

Match rating: Excellent advert for National League One rugby. This league opener bodes well for the rest of the campaign.