REPORT: Holker Old Boys 0-1 Widnes

10-man Widnes bounced back from last week's back-to-back cup exits with a hard-fought 1-0 win at Holker Old Boys.

Kev Towey's 34th goal of the season proved to be the only goal of the game, as Joey Dunn's side lifted themselves back into the playoff positions.

Billy Webb was shown a straight red card on the stroke of half-time, but Widnes held on for a big three points.

Manager Dunn made five changes to the side that were comprehensively beaten at City of Liverpool last time out.

George and Chris Lomax both dropped to the bench and were replaced by Webb and skipper Kev Pollard. Tom Mitchell came in for the unavailable Danny Hand.

Meanwhile, Jay Roberts and Alex Davies were handed debuts after signing from Litherland REMYCA and Marine respectively. Davies made over 80 appearances for Widnes in an initial spell at the Club before leaving in late 2015.

The game was far from being a classic, as both sides struggled to create chances on a heavy surface in Cumbria.

Jack Graham sent a dangerous delivery into the area early on with Webb unable to find an elusive touch on the cross to guide the ball home.

Widnes took the lead as the first half approached the halfway mark. Towey received the ball from Graham before magnificently turning away from his man and firing a daisy-cutter inside of the near-post to give his side a 19th minute lead.

Widnes were comfortably in control and were rarely troubled by their opponents. They were dealt a blow on the stroke of half-time as they were reduced to 10-men.

Billy Webb reacted angrily to a robust Gareth Smith. He raised his hands to the head of Smith, and was promptly shown his march orders by the referee.

Despite Webb's dismissal, Widnes ended the half well and spurned two great opportunities to increase their lead.

Goalkeeper Sam Stephens got out quickly to smother a Davies shot as the debutant closed on goal, before Towey raced clear only to be denied by the Stags' shot-stopper, who had a fine game on the night.

Halftime: Holker Old Boys 0-1 Widnes

Holker should have levelled the scoreline with their first clear-cut chance of the second half.

Unmarked Kevin Watkin met Jamie Pattinson's cross inside the 6-yard area but could only direct his header narrowly wide of the post with Widnes' Owen Wheeler beaten.

Holker controlled possession in the second half but rarely troubled Widnes' backline marshalled by Mike Burke and Steve Akrigg.

Towey ambitiously tried his luck from 30 yards on the hour-mark. He had Stephens stranded but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Widnes played largely on the break in the second period and should have sealed all three points 10 minutes from time.

Davies came close to marking his second debut for the Club as he raced on to a clever reverse-pass from Towey. He cut inside of two defenders but his shot took a slight deflection that lifted it over the bar.

Substitute George Lomax only lasted five minutes for Widnes before limping off injured, but he missed a great chance to add a goal to his cameo appearance.

His persistence forced Billy Moss into an error, allowing the Widnes striker to close on goal with only the keeper to beat. However, he could only shoot straight at Stephens who raced out to make a superb save.

Six minutes of stoppage time gave Holker an opportunity to nick a point, but Widnes held firm to move into fifth place in the Hallmark Security League First Division.

Fulltime: Holker Old Boys 0-1 Widnes

Joey Dunn's side now face a run of five games in two weeks, beginning with a home game against Cheadle Town at the Select Security Stadium on Saturday.