Skipper Mike Burke reduced the arrears after Marine scored three goals in 14 second half minutes through George Hassall, Niall Cummins and a Jordan Lussey penalty.

Neil Kengni restored the Mariners’ three-goal advantage on 58 minutes and despite Kingsley Williams pulling a goal back moments later, Neil Young’s hosts would grab a fifth through Florian Yonsian.

Co-boss Kev Towey dropped to the bench amongst two changes to the team that won at Brighouse Town last time out.

Jamie Rainford was restored to the starting line-up alongside George Webster with James Steele also named amongst the substitutes.

Widnes created a number of openings – including an early Rainford chance that ran agonisingly wide – but they were punished for defensive lapses in concentration by a ruthless Mariners side vying for promotion.

Marine’s first goal stemmed from a clinical counter-attack which was routinely finished off by George Hassall who tucked home from Steve Irwin’s cutback.

It was 2-0 after 13 minutes. Keeper Tom Scott made an uncharacteristic error as he fumbled an Irwin free-kick allowing Niall Cummins – scorer of all four Marine goals in the reverse fixture last month – to bundle the loose ball home from close-range.

Five minutes later, Jordan Lussey converted a penalty following a Scott foul on Irwin after the Widnes shot-stopper mis-controlled a Burke backpass.

Widnes mustered an immediate response. The visitors’ corner routine worked a trick as Shaun Holden’s cross was a delicious one, with skipper Burke atoning for any involvement in Marine’s third goal by finding the net with a towering header.

The Whites probably should have pulled another goal back moments later, but Holden perhaps would have been better off taking the shot off himself after robbing Anthony Miley of possession, but his cutback intended for Rainford was intercepted.

Skipper Burke limped off with an ankle injury late in the half in a huge blow to a Widnes side who ended the half strongly, with Danny Ventre forced into a makeshift role alongside Alex McQuade at centre-half.

Widnes continued swinging into the second half but Marine again ruthlessly punished the visitors as Neil Kengni evaded the offside trap to latch on to Irwin’s quick free-kick to finish brilliantly beyond Scott.

In a blink of an eye, it was 4-2. Jay Roberts provided a teasing cross that was met by Kingsley Williams to direct a header past Daniel Atherton to record his first goal in a Widnes shirt.

Joint-managers Steve Akrigg and Towey rolled the dice, with the latter introduced as part of a Widnes double change.

A not-fully-fit Rainford withdrew alongside George Webster as Towey and top goalscorer Ben Hodkinson were introduced to provide renewed energy to Widnes’ front-line.

But the outcome of the contest was put beyond all doubt when Yonsian broke clear on the break to apply a composed finish and condemn Widnes to a 5-2 defeat.