Lloyd Dean got one over his former club as he scored in a 2-1 win as Widnes overcame rivals Prescot.
Captain Michael Burke headed the hosts into the lead after Jack Hatton’s free-kick towards the far post but they were in for a nervy ending as Taylor Brickell superbly picked out the top corner.
A cagey first-half brought few chances with Dave Dempsey’s side enjoying possession in the early stages until they broke the deadlock when Burke’s looping header.
Going a goal down woke the visitors up and squandered a golden opportunity to level when Lewis Buckley couldn’t beat Owen Wheeler one-on-one.
Jack Goodwin and Brickell continued to threaten the Widnes goal with both players seeing chances a whisker away from levelling the proceedings.
Wheeler and the bar then denied Kevin Lynch’s side when Brickell forced the shot-stopper into action before the follow-up rattled the bar.
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Twelve minutes at the break Dean made it two as he flicked beyond Jed Ward after Ste Rigby picked the pockets of the Prescot Cables defender.
Similar to the opener, conceding sprung the Pesky Bulls into action.
Sam O’Halleron, Goodwin and Buckley could only manage half-chances before the former forced Wheeler into making a brilliant reaction save after his deflected effort caused the ‘keeper to beat the danger away.
A moment of individual brilliance from Brickell made the closing interesting after the winger cut inside and fired into the top-right corner. But despite the late onslaught, Widnes held on for a hard-fought three points.
Match Info
Widnes 2-1 Prescot Cables
Scorers: 30′ Burke, 57 Dean; 76′ Brickell.
Bookings: 36′ McCulloch, 73′ Hadjari
HT/FT Score: 1-0/2-1.
Off The Park Player of the Match: Michael Burke (centre-back, Widnes)
Prescot Cables standout player: Taylor Brickell.
