Despite the breakneck speed of their progression - first under Joey Dunn and now both Towey and co-manager Steve Akrigg - the player-coach is confident in his side's abilities.

"The objective that we set ourselves, that me and Steve set at the start of the season, were knocking on the doors of the playoffs. My view on that hasn't changed," Towey said.

"You only have to look at the squad. We haven't really changed anything.

'We've kept faith, we trust the lads and it took a little adjusting to the new division but I'm confident that similar to last season we can go on a run and put ourselves in a position to challenge for those objectives."

Widnes crashed out of the Integro Cup with a narrow 2-1 defeat to Witton Albion on Tuesday evening but recorded a 2-0 home victory over Glossop North End last Saturday following two consecutive 1-0 defeats in the Evo-Stik West.

"It was the perfect time to win (against Glossop)," Towey admitted.

"I don't like the word unlucky but if I was picking one that would be the word. We've been unlucky in the games and not helped ourselves with sendings-off (against Mossley and Kidsgrove, when four Widnes players were dismissed).

"I think they've definitely affected the game and without them we take something from both games. We've played six league games now and there's only been Radcliffe who've outplayed us. I firmly believe in the other five games we've been the better side overall but it means nothing.

"We need to draw from being the best side and put into practice putting games to bed because we're putting our defence under pressure at times by not taking chances and not going in front in games."

Widnes cross the border into North Wales on Saturday for a league game at Colwyn Bay. The match kicks-off at 3pm. They are also on their travels next Tuesday evening when they go to Leek Town, kick-off 7.45pm.