The Qualifiers: Catalans Dragons 10-12 Widnes Vikings

Chris Houston was sin-binned for a high tackle but there were no tries in Perpignan before the break

Widnes secured Super League status for a seventh straight season as they hung on for a narrow win against Catalans.

The Vikings' victory in the Qualifiers means that the French side will travel to Leigh in the Million Pound Game on Saturday, 30 September.

It was 4-4 at the break after two penalties each, before two second-half tries from Widnes winger Corey Thompson and centre Stefan Marsh.

Julian Bousquet's converted try narrowed the gap but Widnes held on.

After being awarded a penalty with 48 seconds left at the Stade Gilbert Brutus, Catalans turned down a kick at goal which could have earned a draw - and home advantage against Leigh.

Instead, they opted to run the ball by going for a second try in an attempt to win the game and condemn Widnes to a trip to Leigh Sports Village.

But Denis Betts' side, who finished bottom of Super League at the end of the regular season, somehow held firm to complete their escape.

Catalans stand-off Luke Walsh and Widnes scrum-half Tom Gilmore exchanged penalties in a tense first half, but the real drama was reserved for the second half - especially the final nine minutes once the hosts had narrowed the gap to two points.

With Catalans throwing everything at the visitors' defence, Marsh produced a fine tackle to deny a match-winning try from on-loan Wigan winger Lewis Tierney before Catalans' hopes ended when Widnes old boy Richie Myler knocked on in front of the posts.

Catalans have not been relegated since first being invited to enter Super League in 2006.

Catalans Dragons: Tierney; Duport, Inu, Wiliame, Thornley; Walsh, Myler; Moa, Aiton, Bousquet, Anderson, Horo, Garcia.

Replacements: Baitieri, Albert, Margalet, Navarrete.

Widnes: Craven; Thompson, Runciman, Marsh, Ince; Mellor, Gilmore; Dudson, Heremaia, Buchanan, Whitley, Houston, Burke.

Replacements: Cahill, Gerrard, Olbison, D Walker.

Referee: Phil Bentham