Widnes Vikings coach Steve McCormack has said he was delighted with debutant Chris Dean's display against Halifax.

The 20-year-old centre, who is on a one-month loan from St Helens, scored two tries as Vikings lost 30-40.

"In the first half I thought he looked dangerous with the ball, physically he's stacked up well," McCormack told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"He will get better and better as the games come and go for him, he has a good change of pace for a big fella."

McCormack added: "He comes with a big reputation from Mike Rush and Daniel Anderson at Saints and I think with his first-half performance you can see why."

Widnes are on a run on three defeats in all competitions and are currently down in ninth position in National League One.

But McCormack is confident that his players can turn things around.

"You earn your money when things are going badly and things aren't going great for us at the moment, I'd be the first to admit that.

"We will get back to work and work even harder."