Widnes FC moved up to fourth in the Hallmark Security League First Division table after grinding out a 1-0 victory against Prestwich Heys at Barnton’s Hinchcliffe Holmes Stadium.

Striker Kev Towey produced a produced a piece of brilliance right on half-time to net his 36th goal of the season, enough to settle the clash between two sides targeting promotion.

Widnes made five changes to the side that beat Cheadle Town last time out. Alex Davies and Danny Hand were rested and replaced by the returning Jack Graham and Jay Roberts respectively.

Meanwhile, River Humphreys, Chris Lomax and Chad Whyte dropped to the bench as Sam Sheen, Steve Akrigg and Towey came into the side.

Widnes worked an opening within the first minute, as Towey played a neat one-two with George Lomax who flashed a shot across the face of goal and wide.

The hosts then caught Heys out with a quick passing move, which resulted in Towey engineering space for a powerful effort that was pushed over by ‘keeper Andrei Stinca.

Luke J Edwards created Widnes’ next chance with a superb in-swinging free-kick that was inviting for defender Tom Mitchell who couldn’t quite muster an elusive touch to direct the ball towards goal.

Widnes were on top and came close to an opener midway through the first half. George Lomax’s initial effort forced a decent save out of Stinca, with the striker’s rebound being hooked off the line by a last-ditch Jacob Wood clearance.

Prestwich settled into the game as the half went on and began to stifle Widnes’ attack.

However, the hosts took the lead in emphatic fashion right on half-time. Roberts played the ball into Towey, who magnificently turned his man before finding the top corner with a stunning strike, nestling in the back of the net in off the upright.

Halftime: Widnes 1-0 Prestwich Heys

Prestwich improved in the second half but struggled to trouble Widnes’ resolute defence, with Owen Wheeler not having a save to make.

The visitors suffered a blow midway through the second-half. ‘Keeper Stinca came to claim a George Lomax cross but appeared to pull up in the process. He immediately signalled for a chance, and without a substitute goalkeeper on the bench, outfield player Mark Baguley was introduced a reserve shot-stopper.

The hosts never really tested Heys’ reserve keeper, with Baguley making a decent stop to thwart an attempted Towey lob, before George Lomax did well to turn his man but couldn’t only muster a tame shot on goal that was comfortably saved by the substitute.

With Heys launching the kitchen sink at Widnes in second half stoppage time, the hosts came close to sealing it with an incisive counter-attack. Towey led the charge as he got in-behind Prestwich’s backline but with his angle diminishing, he could only force Baguley into a decent stop.

However, the Whites saw out the closing stages with relative ease to give secure three crucial points.

Fulltime: Widnes 1-0 Prestwich Heys

Widnes’ latest victory extends their current run of form to five straight league victories, lifting the Whites’ to within two points of the automatic promotion places with a game in-hand.

Widnes now face another quick turnaround, with a trip to Bacup Borough on Wednesday night.