The 4-0 scoreline somewhat flattered the visitors, who were far from their best but superior class in front of goal ultimately secured their progression through to the second qualifying round.

Bradley Fewster opened the scoring after nine minutes, with Danny Rowe adding a second 11 minutes into the second half.

Matty Dixon would seal victory for the Seasiders five minutes from time, while Dale Hopson added Whitby’s fourth from the spot after Danny Shaw fouled Fewster.

Co-bosses Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey named an unchanged side from Tuesday’s dramatic preliminary round replay win at Mossley, and the Whites started brightly.

Ben Hodkinson forced an early save out of Shane Bland while Josh Klein-Davies prodded wide from a Conor Ready cross as Widnes imposed themselves early.

But the Whites were dealt a warning when Fewster raced clear to tee up Rowe to strike the post for Whitby, and the visitors were ahead two minutes later.

It was almost a carbon copy of their previous attack, with Fewster electing to go alone this time around and finish confidently beyond Owen Wheeler.

Widnes looked to respond through the lively James Steele, who tried his luck with an effort seemingly destined for the top corner, only to be denied by a fantastic fingertip save from Bland.

Further half-chances were to follow for Widnes with Hodkinson again threatening, only to shoot straight at Bland.

Despite a fairly even first half, Whitby’s class would ultimately show with a ruthless second half performance.

Chris Hardy’s men would double their lead early in the second period, with Danny Rowe heading home unmarked from a corner.

For long periods of the second half, Widnes were still in the contest but weren’t clinical enough in front of goal, epitomised by Steele’s far-post header that was easily saved by Bland.

Steele was lively all afternoon for Widnes, and he would go close again midway through the half, nodding wide from a deep Hodkinson cross.

Lewis Buckley, Harry Brazel and Michael Grogan were all brought off the bench, and it took a superb diving Bland save to keep out Conor Ready eight minutes from time, with Grogan unable to turn home a rebound.

Hodkinson would strike the post two minutes later, but Whitby secured victory with a ruthless late showing.

Fewster would tee up Matty Dixon who rolled home the visitors’ third on the 85-minute mark, with the Seasiders awarded a penalty less than two minutes later.

Danny Shaw bundled Fewster over in the area, seemingly out of frustration. Referee David Croft brandished a yellow card and Dale Hopson confidently dispatched his spot-kick.

Widnes’ midweek outing at home to Ossett United has been postponed due to Ossett being taken to a replay by Thornaby, with the Whites back in action at Colne next Saturday.