Joey Dunn paid tribute to his side's remarkable end of season form as Widnes FC ended their title winning campaign with a 3-1 victory over Daisy Hill at the Select Security Stadium.

Despite falling behind after two minutes, Kev Towey netted his fourth hat-trick of the season as Widnes ran out worthy winners to kick-start their title celebrations.

Immediately after the full-time whistle, Widnes were presented with the Hallmark Security League First Division Trophy by league Chairman Paul Lawler.

Speaking after the game, Dunn bemoaned his side's sluggish start but felt that there was only ever going to be one winner after his team got back into the game.

"The game was a typical end of season affair to be honest. It wasn't the greatest spectacle, particularly for the first half-an-hour," Dunn said.

"We fell behind to a silly goal, we were sloppy in our play and struggled early on until we woke up and got a back of integrity back.

"But, I felt that one we got back into the game, there was only ever going to be one winner.

"We scored three and missed a hat full of chances - it was just a case of getting over the line.

"To get 96 points, to win the last 14 games and average over 2.5 points per game since I took the job is fantastic.

"14 games is a third of a season. We've played those 14 games over the last six to eight weeks. We've been fantastic in all of them.

"All of them have posed difficult and different tests - we never shirked any. Some were physical tests, some were psychological tests in wars of attrition against sides sitting in, but we've managed them really well.

"We've had some tough ones lately with the likes of Chadderton and Charnock Richard, and today was another one that could have been a bit of a banana skin but we got the job done."

Towey's hat-trick took him to 40 goals on the season. Dunn admitted that he was "really grateful" to have him at the club.

He said: "Kev Towey is a fantastic player and I'm really grateful to have him at the club.

"He's surpassed 30 goals again and his all-around play is fantastic. He creates as many goals as he scores.

"He's at a different level to most players he plays against and he probably could've scored six today, never mind three."

With the season done and dusted, Dunn admits he is looking forward to pre-season and the challenge ahead of his side in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

"I had a chat with the lads before the game about pre-season," Dunn said.

"What we've achieved this season is fantastic and I'm really proud of that. If we're going to bring players in, they're going to have to be of a good level and calibre.

"The lads here now know that there isn't going to be wholesale changes. They're entitled to a summer off as they've been fantastic for a number of months now.

"They've earned a rest and we'll get back in the summer refreshed and ready to go again."