A dramatic last-minute try by Widnes substitute Tim Holmes gave the Vikings victory in their friendly with Warrington at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

With the scores locked at 6-6 Widnes set up a position to try and win the game with a late drop goal.

But Owen Craigie's attempt hit the post and Holmes was first to react as the ball rebounded into play, and he scooped up a loose ball to score. Steve Rowlands then added a conversion to give the visitors their last-gasp success.

Widnes included nine new faces in their starting 13 and led 6-0 at the interval, hooker Shane Millard grabbing the only try of the first half and Stephen Myler converting.

Myler was later forced to leave the field with a hamstring injury and Vikings winger Paul Ballard was also forced from the action with a shoulder injury.

The game erupted at the start of the second half following an altercation between Wolves hooker Jon Clarke and Widnes loose forward Daniel Frame, it escalated into a near all-in brawl with players from both sides exchanging punches and the incident was placed on report by referee Steve Ganson.

Warrington lost Paul Noone early on with a serious eye injury and the player was taken to hospital.

The home side drew level midway through the second half when Jamie Durbin sent Ben Westwood over for a try and Chris Hull converted.

Widnes applied all the late pressure and were rewarded with Holmes' fortuitous late try.