DANNY Lima made his first appearance for Warrington Wizards in their 35-26 defeat at Hemel Hempstead Stags on Sunday.

The former Warrington Wolves prop, who took over as Wizards boss at the start of the season, recently left National League One side Widnes Vikings after spells at Salford and Wakefield and is now free to feature as both a player and coach at Wilderspool.

Lima came off the bench in the Conference National match at Hemel Hempstead at the weekend but was forced off in the first half with a stomach injury and will face a fitness test ahead of the home match with Leeds Akkies at Wilderspool tomorrow night, Friday, kick-off 8pm.

Wizards will be without Matt Wilson (suspected broken cheekbone) against Akkies, although Simon McEvoy, Liam McCarthy, Dave Kelly and Mark Roughneen could return.

Lima is hoping for an improved perormance against the league's bottom club, saying: "It was a massive disappointment to lose the game on Sunday after leading by 10 points at half time.

"We failed to build on our advantage in the second half and allowed Hemel to get back into the game and eventually run out winners.

"We have to dust ourselves down and regroup for our game against Leeds Akkies.

"We are still in a very good position but we cannot afford any more slip-ups."

Hemel Hempstead Stags 35 Warrington Wizards 26 WIZARDS had two men sent off and injuries also left them short of numbers in the closing stages in Hertfordshire.

Wizards led 16-6 at half time thanks to tries from Stuart Pirrie, Ian Stephenson and David Yii, with Danny Shaw adding two conversions.

The hosts then reduced Wizards' lead to four points before Scott Davidson and Yii were dismissed along with Stags' Barry-John Swindells for their part in a skirmish.

Hemel Hempstead then levelled the scores and went ahead with two more tries.

And, although Gareth Barron and Andy Addison reduced the deficit to three points with six minutes remaining, the home side scored another try to end the contest.

Wizards: Stuart Pirrie; Ian Stephenson, Danny Shaw, Paul Wilson, David Yii; Chris Campbell, Chris Jaffrey; Gareth Barron, Steven Smythe, Scott Davidson, Anthony Beckett, Andy Addison, Matt Wilson. Subs: Danny Lima, Luke Worsley, Mike Grady, Wes Lawton.