Joint manager Kev Towey reflected on an 'ugly performance' as Widnes nicked a 2-1 victory over Runcorn Linnets with a 94th minute Ben Hodkinson penalty.

George Lomax's 40th minute opener gave Widnes a narrow half time lead with Freddie Potter equalising midway through the second half.

Widnes survived a late Linnets onslaught only to steal the three points from the grasps of the near-neighbours late on as Hodkinson converted a spot-kick at the death.

Speaking after the game, Towey admitted that his side weren't at their best but he was nonetheless delighted to complete the double over his former club.

"It was probably one of our least attractive performances to be honest," Towey said.

"It was smash and grab. When we come through the door at 6.30, we wanted the three points and ultimately we got them.

"They were in ascendancy and will feel aggrieved that they've come away from tonight's game with nothing. I'd probably agree with that.

"But as the cliche goes, 'football's a funny old game' and that showed tonight."

Towey felt that referee Michael Barlow got the decision to award Widnes a late penalty right, admitting that he thought that Stuart Cook had been fouled in the area in the build-up.

The Widnes co-manager then went on to credit Hodkinson for having the confidence to bury the spot-kick that he won with so much on the line.

He said: "I thought that the foul on Stu was more of a penalty than the foul on Ben, to be honest.

"They were both penalties, and thankfully he gave us one.

"Ben stepping up to score showed that he's beyond his years to keep a cool head in that situation.

"I spoke to him after the game and he said that he was nervous, but that shows that it meant something to him. "

Widnes' victory closes the gap on Linnets to seven points at the summit of the Hallmark Security League Premier Division, having played two games more.

Towey claims that he's tired of hearing about games in-hand, and is keen to ensure that his side remain focussed on themselves.

"I'm tired of hearing about games in-hand, Widnes' pitch and things like that," Towey said.

"We're concentrating on our own thing. People are getting sucked into paying too much attention to what we're doing.

"We're alright doing what we're doing and not paying attention to anyone but ourselves."