The Whites were in control throughout and kept the free-scoring Linnets at arm's-length to record a fifth clean sheet of the season and end the day as the division's statistically best defence.

Widnes were reduced to a threadbare squad too. Manager Michael Ellison named only three outfield substitutes including 19-year-old Josh High and James Steele, who wasn't fit enough to play a part.

The departure of Jay Roberts in midweek forced a tactical re-think. Louis Isherwood moved into a midfield double pivot alongside skipper Ste Irwin while Sam Bhatti was given the nod at right back.

A supporting cast of Sean Miller, Kris Holt and Ste Milne were afforded an element of flexibility and the freedom to roam behind McGowan, with Miller proving to be particularly influential.

Widnes made the perfect start and were ahead inside the game's opening two minutes.

Miller found a pocket of space and cleverly threaded a pass through the Linnets backline to McGowan who finished with aplomb ahead of on-rushing Bayleigh Passant.

The Whites started on the front foot but were very nearly pegged back shortly thereafter.

Oliver Molloy looked poised to equalise when he did extremely well to peel away from Jack Byrne and trap a deep cross into the area, but the outstretched boot of goalkeeper Cameron Terry ensured that Widnes retained their early, but slender advantage.

That ultimately proved to be Linnets' best chance of the contest and the woodwork denied Widnes a second goal midway through the half.

The ball sat up nicely for Miller, and having spotted Passant out of his goal, he let fly with an audacious lob from 30 yards that looked destined to nestle in the empty net, but the ball took one final bounce and struck the bar before running wide.

Widnes didn't have to wait long for a second opportunity to increase their lead.

Irwin won possession back in midfield and surged forward. He had Milne to his right and McGowan to his left, but the skipper showed his class to delay the pass just long enough to tee up the latter to finish brilliantly across Passant with his weaker foot.

No one could begrudge the Whites their two-goal cushion and they weren't far away from a third when Isherwood dragged an effort narrowly wide from the edge of the D.

The visiting Linnets responded in the second half but never really harmed Widnes' backline.

Will Saxon was industrious but largely ineffective up against the Widnes full-backs of Bhatti and Matty Rain while experienced striker Ryan Brooke, brought off the bench after 54 minutes to partner Molloy, struggled to provide the necessary impact.

The substitute did head against the outside of the post after the hour-mark, but the shot was already on it's way wide when it clipped the frame of the goal.

Widnes managed the game well and resisted the temptation to go and chase a third goal.

Runcorn briefly threatened when Sam Barratt's looping header was cleared away by Byrne and when Bhatti had to be alert to block Anthony Kay's low drive on the goal-line.

But Linnets never really looked like scoring, with Widnes keeper Terry enjoying an afternoon where he was largely limited to collecting and dealing with crosses and corners into the area.

McGowan was denied his hat-trick late on when his opposite number Molloy fought back to be Runcorn's last line of defence, clearing off the line after the Widnes striker's effort had squirmed beneath Passant.

Regardless, this was a victory that Widnes' performance thoroughly deserved as they climb into the division's top 10.