Joint boss Kev Towey was pleased with the response from his players as Widnes made it a Club record 16 league games unbeaten with a 4-0 home triumph over AFC Darwen on Saturday.

Towey, who netted a hat-trick in the win, challenged his side to raise their performance levels after a narrow Macron Cup victory over Darwen in midweek, and the co-manager was left satisfied after his players passed the test.

Kev Towey on his side's result and performance on Saturday...

"We were comfortable for large periods of the game to be honest, but we made it that way ourselves. We've managed the game well, started much better than we did in midweek, and we continued at that level. We got ourselves in front and never looked back."

Towey on the rise in standards...

"It was a difficult game to approach in terms of where they are in the league. Teams at that end of the division will always make it difficult, but I thought that we were really professional. We did what needed to be done."

Towey on the difficult playing conditions at the Halton Stadium...

"We had all four seasons in one game - we had snow, wind, rain and sunshine. We didn't let that affect us. We tried to keep the ball on the floor as much as possible and not let the conditions dictate the game."

Towey on scoring his first hat-trick of the season...

"It's my first one of the season, so I'm really pleased but we have to look at the bigger picture. In the grand scheme of things, the win and the three points is the most important thing."

Towey on Widnes' league position...

"We're putting pressure on the teams around us. Providing teams have the right points per game ratio, there's two promotion spots there. We've now put ourselves in a position where we can compete for those spots. There's five or six teams that are going to have to win their games in-hand to play catch up."

Towey on breaking a Club record...

"I hadn't realised to be honest. It's a nice stat to have. I was obviously aware that we were on a really good run but to break a record is a great achievement and it's a testament to the lads who have all played a part in it."