Jack McGowan opened the scoring for the Whites after just eight minutes but Michael Ellison's side were pegged back four minutes later when skipper Ste Irwin inadvertently headed into his own goal.

It looked like there was only going to be one winner as Widnes held their opponents to just one shot throughout the 90 minutes but they were left to rue a lack of cutting edge in front of goal.

Sean Miller struck the bar in the first half via a deflection while McGowan really should have doubled his account six minutes before half time, but he was denied by Grant Shenton down to his left while through on goal.

Avro's best chance came 12 minutes into the second half when Bebeto Gomes' stabbed effort was blocked on the line but that was as close as the high-flying hosts would come.

They never really laid a glove on Widnes' stout defensive line and goalkeeper Joe Mason, who aside from commanding his area well, enjoyed a troublesome afternoon.

The industrious James Steele twice went close, first forcing a relatively comfortable save out of Shenton with a cushioned volley after good work by Jay Roberts.

But Steele really should have made his second chance count late in the day but he directed a free header over the bar after meeting Roberts' corner.