Ashley Young fired Charnock into an early lead before Kev Towey equalised with a 16th minute penalty.
Samuel Parkinson’s free-kick restored the hosts’ lead before Billy Webb levelled the scoreline four minutes into the second half.
Charnock eventually secured all three points following second-half strikes from Carl Grimshaw and a Spencer Bibby penalty.

Widnes manager Joey Dunn made three changes to the side that beat Bacup Borough 2-0 last time out. River Humphreys and Michael Burns both dropped to the bench as Tom Mitchell and Luke J Edwards returned to the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Danny Hand was replaced by Kev Towey who lead the line for Widnes alongside Billy Webb and George Lomax.

Charnock started the better of the two sides and took the lead after six minutes. Widnes conceded a soft free-kick on the near-side that came back to haunt them. Parkinson’s superb delivery found Ashley Young in the area who found the back of the net with a powerful effort from close-range.

Widnes recovered from the early deficit and were awarded a penalty 10 minutes later. Kev Towey was pulled down in the area by Charnock’s Luke Gibson, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Towey stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick to the goalkeeper’s right – his 10th successfully converted penalty of the season.

The hosts came close to restoring their lead midway through the first half. Despite appearing to foul Widnes’ Steve Akrigg in the build-up, Carl Grimshaw was allowed to play on for Charnock, narrowly shooting wide of the far-post after engineering space for a shot.

Four minutes later, Charnock were back in front. Widnes conceded a free-kick after Spencer Bibby was upended by Sam Sheen after going on a marauding run. Samuel Parkinson’s venomous set-piece slightly wrong-footed Widnes ‘keeper Wheeler, nestling in the bottom corner.

After finding themselves a goal down for a second time, Widnes responded well and came close to levelling the scoreline. Intricate and patient build-up play eventually allowed George Lomax to link up with strike-partner Towey who could only shoot high and wide of the target.

Halftime: Charnock Richard 2-1 Widnes

Early in the second half, Widnes were once again forced to deal with Charnock’s threat from a set-piece. Nathan Fairhurst’s free-kick took a heavy deflection and looked destined to find the net. However, ‘keeper Wheeler made a terrific save that indirectly lead to Widnes’ second equaliser.

Widnes immediately launched a counter-attack as George Lomax burst forward with pace for the visitors. He found Chris Lomax who could only force Adam Halton into a decent save, but Billy Webb was on-hand to divert the loose ball into the back of the net, continuing his fine goalscoring run since his arrival from City of Liverpool.

At 2-2, it was anyone’s game and both sides missed good chances to grab an elusive third goal.

Widnes spurned a good opportunity to take the lead. George Lomax once again lead the charge on the counter-attack but selfishly decided to go it alone, only to shoot straight into the grateful gloves of ‘keeper Halton.

Moments later, Joshua Norgate’s cross from the left found the unmarked Carl Grimshaw in the area, but Owen Wheeler produced an incredible, world-class save to push the striker’s header away from goal and to safety.

Despite Wheeler’s unbelievable save, Widnes failed to heed the warning and found themselves staring down the barrel of a first league defeat in 11 as Charnock took the lead for the a third time on the night.

Norgate again got free down the left and delivered a cross towards Grimshaw in the area, who this time made no mistake as his header nestled in the far corner.

Widnes should have equalised immediately. Webb’s cutback on the far-side found the late-arriving Chris Lomax on the edge of the area, who perhaps snatched at his chance as it sailed over the bar as the chance went begging.

Charnock were presented with an opportunity to all-but seal victory 15 minutes from time as the hosts were awarded a penalty.

Spencer Bibby raced past two Widnes defenders far too easily before going down under a Tom Mitchell challenge in the area. The referee awarded a penalty, which Bibby took and duly dispatched to increase Charnock’s advantage late on. ‘Keeper Wheeler got a strong hand on the ball but couldn’t quite produce an all-important save.

Fulltime: Charnock Richard 4-2 Widnes

After a disappointing setback, Widnes return to action on Saturday as they host league leaders Litherland REMYCA at the Select Security Stadium.