City of Liverpool cruised to three points after firing four past Widnes thanks to two penalties from Nathan Burke plus goals from James Steele and Michael Simpson.
The Purps captain sent the Whites goalkeeper, Cameron Terry, the wrong way on both occasions with a spot-kick in each half.
Steele ghosted in at the back-post to double Paul McNally’s sides lead early in the second-half.
Ste Milne was fouled for both penalties, the first of which came after it was adjudged he had been tripped by Stephen Rigby. Burke added a three-goal cushion from 12 yards after James McCulloch slid in and brought the striker down.
The clash between two sides occupying the relegation places was largely uneventful.
And it was substitute Michael Simpson who rubber-stamped a routine-victory for City of Liverpool in stoppage time. He expertly fired into the bottom corner with a left-footed strike from outside the box after dispossessing Jordan Wynne.
CITY OF LIVERPOOL REACTION: Paul McNally offers simple message following their win over Widnes
WIDNES REACTION: Widnes manager Michael Ellison frustrated by City of Liverpool drubbing
Ryan Hamer was largely untroubled in the City of Liverpool goal as Widnes‘ best opportunity came from a scramble following an inswinging corner in the second-half.
McNally’s men continue their rise up the table and can now breathe a sigh of relief to be out of the relegation zone for the first time under his stewardship.
Far from a classic but a win nonetheless for the Purps after making it two wins from two.
It was an unhappy return to his former club for Michael Ellison – the team who relieved him of his duties just two months ago.
The former Runcorn Linnets boss’ task of keeping the Vikings’ ship afloat in the Northern Premier League West received further damage as they remain docked at the foot of the table – six points from safety.
Match Stats:
City of Liverpool 4-0 Widnes
Goals: 14’ (pen), 76’ (pen) Nathan Burke, 57’ James Steele, 90’ Michael Simpson.
HT/FT Score: 1-0/4-0.
