Widnes manager Joey Dunn praised the contributions of debutants Owen Wheeler and Billy Webb after watching his side beat Silsden 4-1 at Keighley Road Stadium.

Widnes raced into the lead inside the opening minute as Chris Lomax found the empty net with a fine finish before Kev Towey doubled the away side's advantage on the stroke of half-time.

Kyle Hancock pulled a goal back for Silsden early in the second half but Widnes eventually went on to clinch the three points, with Luke J Edwards and debutant Webb get themselves on the scoresheet.

Speaking after the game, manager Dunn was pleased that his side managed to grind out the three points.

"Today was a good win in what was a difficult game," Dunn said.

"Silsden are a good side and you'll never get an easy game against them - today is probably the most comfortable I've ever won here.

"They have a good togetherness, they worked really hard and I think we struggled to match them in the first 30 minutes. Once we scored a second though, I thought that we settled down a bit.

"Their goal was a poor one to give away, and although they had a good amount of possession, they didn't really trouble Owen (Wheeler), who I don't think had a save to make other than the goal.

"We had the resolve to withstand their sustained pressure in the second half, so once we got our shape and channeled the ball into the right areas, we did well.

"So all in all, I'm pleased with the victory."

Dunn was keen to praise debutants 'keeper Wheeler and striker Webb, who both made their first appearances for the club in the victory. Webb marked his debut with a goal following his move from City of Liverpool.

He said: "Both Owen and Billy did their jobs very well, at different ends of the pitch.

"Owen was efficient, tidy and competent; he gave a really solid performance which will do him good as he beds into the side.

"He looks really composed, which bodes well for us as a unit defensively.

"We knew what we were getting with Billy as he's all-action and sharp in front of goal.

"He's not played a lot of football recently, but he deserved his goal and you can already see that he's going to be a major asset for us moving forward."