REPORT: Maine Road 0-2 Widnes

Second half goals from joint manager Kev Towey and substitute George Lomax moved Widnes to within four points of sealing promotion to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League with a 2-0 win at Maine Road.

Widnes’ 21st maximum points haul from their previous 23 outings moved Towey and Steve Akrigg’s side six points clear of third-placed Runcorn Town with two games to play, having played one game more.

The win also means that Runcorn Linnets must wait to clinch the Hallmark Security League Premier Division title after Linnets lost 3-0 at Northwich Victoria. Widnes now sit four points behind the league leaders having played one game more.

On a run of four games in seven days, the Widnes co-bosses made two changes to the side that comfortably beat West Didsbury & Chorlton last time out. Phil Doran was rested as Dylan Sweeney started at left-back, while Towey came in for Lomax up-front.

In truth, Widnes were made to work for their success by a defiant Maine Road side fighting for their Premier Division status towards the bottom of the league.

The home side started well but the best chance of the early exchanges fell to the in-form Ben Hodkinson, who found himself one-on-one with Ryan Livesey but the Maine Road keeper stood tall to make a good save.

Akrigg had a header cleared off the line on the half-hour mark as Widnes were beginning to express themselves.

Maine Road briefly threatened with James Ormrod blasted high and wide before Widnes were awarded a penalty 10 minutes before half-time.

Hodkinson, buoyed by successfully converting a spot-kick against West Didsbury on Saturday, stepped up but he was denied as Livesey got down well to make a good save.

Within nine minutes of the restart, Widnes took the lead. Jack Banister was influential, driving forward before he was fouled. Referee Paul Stonier wisely played advantage with substitute Jack Graham keeping the ball alive, finding Towey who scored his 25th goal of the season.

Widnes pushed for a second as the half went on, and it came with a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

The Lomax brothers combined brilliantly in the build-up, with Chris Lomax teeing up brother George, who came off the bench to apply a composed finish to double Widnes’ advantage.

Elliott Jones was introduced late on for Towey as Widnes held on for another job well done to inch closer to the finishing line.