Widnes FC extended their unbeaten run to 11 games with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Carlisle City in a match marred by a horrific injury to Carlisle midfielder Mark Graham.

River Humphreys marked his debut with a goal as he opened the scoring for Widnes before Luke J Edwards’ first goal since November doubled Widnes’ lead 10 minutes before the break.

Thomas Lucock pulled a goal back on the stroke of halftime before Kev Towey added a third and final goal for Widnes midway through the second half.

However, the game will be remembered for the injury to Graham, which led to a lengthy delay as the midfielder received treatment from club physios and paramedics alike before being taken to Whiston Hospital.

Widnes were without George Lomax, Chris Lomax and Tom Mitchell through suspension whilst captain Kev Pollard missed out with an Achilles injury. Meanwhile, midfielder Karl Ledsham had returned to the United States following his month-long spell with the Club.

Widnes survived an early scare as Carlisle were inches away from taking a fifth minute lead. Defender Steve Akrigg uncharacteristically gave possession away cheaply to Daniel Balmer who advanced on goal and rolled a shot across the face of goal and just wide of the far post.

There was no such let-off at the other end 10 minutes later as Widnes buried their first clear-cut chance of the game. Adam Weston’s header from a Jack Graham corner was charged down, with the ball sitting up nicely for debutant River Humphreys to hammer home the opener on the volley from 12 yards out.

Widnes had the ball in the net midway through the first half as Kev Towey headed a Luke J Edwards home but was adjudged to have been marginally offside. However, replays appeared to indicate that Towey was onside when the ball was played.

Towey came close to finding the net five minutes later. Widnes went route one as keeper Richie Mottram punted the ball forward, allowing Ross McDowell to gallop into space. McDowell’s cross was cleverly flicked on by Edwards towards Towey at the back-post who couldn’t quite get a good enough touch on the ball to direct it goalwards.

10 minutes before the break, Widnes were rewarded for their efforts with a second goal. Danny Hand’s cross was headed away by Carlisle’s Michael Slack, but only as far as Luke J Edwards, who was perfectly placed to find the back of the net with a well-taken volley.

Carlisle pulled a goal back on the stroke of halftime. Balmer’s cross into the area was met by Tom Lucock, who peeled off his man to direct the ball into the back of the net with a powerful header.

Halftime: Widnes 2-1 Carlisle City

Widnes should have added a third early in the second half. Jack Graham again floated a dangerous corner into the area, with unmarked defender Mike Burke rising highest to power a header inches over the bar.

Then came the moment which manager Dunn felt had “put football into perspective”, with the play having to be stopped for 45 minutes as Graham was treated before being stretchered from the field.

Graham took a heavy touch before committing to a whole-hearted, 50/50 challenge with Widnes’ Weston, with the former coming off the worse, leaving players visibly shaken as an ambulance was called.

It was confirmed after the game that Graham had suffered a double leg break to his tibia and fibula.

To Carlisle’s immense credit, they recovered and started brightly after the lengthy delay. Balmer forced a solid stop out of Mottram, before Kyle Armstrong found himself unmarked at the back-post from a City corner, slicing wide despite finding himself in space to pick his spot.

Widnes eventually settled back into the game with defender Burke leading the charge. The ever-present won possession back for the hosts and surged forward. He delivered a decent cross that was dealt with by a crucial intervention from City substitute Matthew Brown with McDowell lurking in the area.

From the resulting corner, Widnes added a third. Kev Towey flicked on Jack Graham’s corner, with the ball coming back out to Towey, who tucked his shot away to net his 27th goal of the season.

Substitute Tom Freeman could have put the icing on the cake for Widnes late on. Freeman was released by Towey but unselfishly decided to square the ball back to Towey who couldn’t quite get on the end of the pass at the back-post. Freeman would have been perhaps better served taking the shot on himself.

Fulltime: Widnes 3-1 Carlisle City

Next up for Widnes is a home game against FC Oswestry Town next Saturday. However, due to the limited unavailability of the Select Security Stadium, the game will be played at Barnton’s Hinchcliffe Holmes Stadium, kicking-off at 3pm.