Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey's men sit 10 points behind Linnets in second in the Hallmark Security League, and victory at Darwen will close the gap with six games left to play.

Victory for Widnes will also see the Whites move seven points clear of third-placed Runcorn Town, having played three games more.

Widnes have only lost once in their last 18 league games stretching back to late November. They bounced back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over AFC Liverpool on Saturday.

First half goals from Michael Grogan and Jack Banister lifted Widnes to all three points, keeping the pressure on at the summit of the Premier Division having ended March with a defeat at Barnoldswick Town.

Hosts AFC Darwen are on a run of six league games without a win, and just one triumph in their previous 25 Premier Division outings, a run that stretches back to September.

Mark Patterson's side were comfortably beaten 3-0 by 1874 Northwich at the WEC Anchor Ground on Monday night.

Steve Akrigg said...

"We can only beat what is in front of us and that's exactly what we intend to do at Darwen.

"It'll be tough - it's a tough place to go. It's important that we maintain our performance levels to give ourselves the best possible chance of promotion and to keep the pressure on at the top."

Team News

Sean Myler and Tom Croughan will both miss out for Widnes after suffering injuries in the win at the weekend.

Myler (knee) joins Sam Sheen (hernia) on the long-term injury list having been ruled out for the season while Croughan (head) was knocked unconscious in the win over the Reds and will not be risked in Lancashire.

There are no new injury concerns for Widnes, who could welcome back co-boss Akrigg and Jack Graham to the 16-man squad.

Previous Meetings...

These two sides have met twice in recent weeks, with Widnes winning both games between the two sides in mid-March.

Goals from George Lomax and Towey secured Widnes' passage through in the Macron Cup with a 2-1 home win, before a Towey hat-trick coupled with a Grogan goal secured a 4-0 league triumph five days later.

This fixture has twice been postponed this season. The match at the Anchor Ground was originally scheduled for Boxing Day, only to be postponed and rearranged for Tuesday night (10th April), only to fall foul of the weather.

Matchday Information

Date: Thursday 12th April
Kick-off: 7.45pm
Location: WEC Anchor Ground, Anchor Road, Darwen, Lancashire, BB3 0BB
Adults: £5
Concession: £3
Under 16s: FREE when accompanied by a paying adult