Gibson skied a spot-kick with the game finely poised at 0-0 on the opening day of the new Northern Premier League season before Linnets’ Laurence Smith fired his side in front on the stroke of half-time.

Kennington, introduced as a half-time substitute, was dismissed for a late challenge on the hour-mark before Ryan Brooke secured the points for Runcorn on 76 minutes.

The result was Widnes’ first defeat at the newly-named APEC Taxis Stadium on their fifth visit and continues the Whites’ barren run of results on the opening day of a new season – eight losses in their previous nine.

Kyle Harrison and Matty Makinson were handed debuts for Widnes amongst three changes to the side beaten at Glossop North End in the FA Cup.

The duo came in for Jonny Cavanagh and River Humphreys who both dropped to the bench while Jordan Barrow was given the nod ahead of Kennington alongside Fisnik Hajdari in the Whites’ midfield.

Joint-managers Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey also named new signing Ryan Watters on the bench while skipper Jay Roberts was fielded in an unfamiliar role at left-back.

A traditionally cagey local derby ensued, with neither Linnets keeper Joe Young or Widnes custodian Owen Wheeler particularly busy during a largely even first half.

The hosts initially started well but they were regularly thwarted by the excellent pair of Makinson and Ben Hampson, while the Whites enjoyed the majority of possession whilst failing to craft too many opportunities.

Joe Lynch struck over for Runcorn after 15 minutes while Widnes’ James Steele found space inside the Linnets area midway through the half, but his attempted chip was easily collected by Young.

In fact, that decent chance fell during Widnes’ best spell of the contest and it was Steele who was particularly influential, winning a penalty after 33 minutes.

Frontman Ben Wharton won a flick-on and despite cries of offside, Steele advanced into the area only to be pulled back by Linnets skipper Sean O’Mahoney.

Referee David Nicholson pointed to the spot and brandished a yellow card but the slight delay in proceedings may have worked against ex-Linnet Gibson, who placed the ball down on the spot early.

He stepped up but leant back, blazing over and spurning a gilt-edged opportunity to net against his former club.

Had Gibson converted, most would have backed Widnes to record a fifth successive win in Murdishaw, but as it transpired, a scuffed Wharton effort five minutes later was as close as the Whites would come to scoring.

Runcorn ended the half well. Eden Gumbs had an effort well saved by Wheeler while Ally Brown had a goal ruled out for offside against Ryan Brooke.

49 minutes of the first half had transpired when the hosts notched an opener.

Widnes’ Barrow could only clear a set-piece into the heart of the Linnets midfield where Smith found space to curl a rasping effort into the far corner with the outstretched Wheeler beaten.

It was a crushing blow for the visitors who lost Hajdari at half-time due to illness with the 18-year-old Kennington introduced for only the second senior appearance of his career.

And they made a slow start to the second half with Runcorn asserting an element of control in the period’s early stages.

Calum McIntyre’s side began to find more joy and Widnes’ frustration grew, with Barrow landing himself in the book for a late challenge.

Akrigg and Towey rolled the dice. Sam Adetiloye and the newly arrived Watters were introduced from the bench as Gibson and Barrow made way.

But the tactical change lasted all of three minutes before Widnes were reduced to 10-men.

Kennington slid in late on Gumbs with a perhaps overzealous tackle, and while he caught the Linnets man, the youngster was both surprised and unfortunate to be shown a straight red card by referee Nicholson.

Runcorn hadn’t appealed with nowhere near as much vigour as they had minutes earlier, when Barrow caught Jacques Welsh in front of the dugouts.

Linnets smelt blood and upped a gear as Widnes looked to re-group. While the Whites’ defensive unit initially held firm, and the trio of Jack Banister, Steele and Watters looked to make something happen with plenty of industry, the contest was put to bed with 14 minutes remaining.

Brooke collected a pass from Iwan Murray and was afforded too much time to curl an effort from 25 yards beyond Wheeler and in off the foot of the far post.

Banister curling wide was as much as Widnes threatened in terms of mustering a consolation, and their misery was compounded when Towey was sent from the technical area for entering the Linnets dugout to retrieve a ball inside stoppage time.