A TALE of two penalties ended happily for Widnes when they edged out 1874 Northwich.

Kevin Towey converted one for the promotion-hopefuls, while Scott McGowan was denied when goalkeeper Richie Mottram saved his attempt at the other end.

The hosts have now lost four of their past five matches in the North West Counties League.

However they were played in the space of seven days.

The outcome of this head-to-head may have been different had the taken the lead on 12 minutes.

Jake Parker sent Kyle Riley clear after Kev Pollard had lost possession, but the front man’s chipped shot came back off the crossbar after he had beaten Mottram.

Five minute later, they trailed.

Referee Daniel Bruce pointed to the spot following Danny Thomas’ sliding challenge on Jack Banister, and Towey duly claimed his 24th goal of the campaign.

Ben Hodkinson curled an effort off-target for the visitors after Banister teed him up, while Riley fired high at the other end.

Widnes began the second-half brightly, and 1874 custodian Hall tipped Hodkinson’s close-range header onto the crossbar after Towey lifted a cross his way.

Paul Bowyer and Wayne Goodison sent on leading-scorer McGowan and Ben Woods in a bid to find a leveller, adjusting to a more attacking formation.

And the home team were presented with an opportunity to restore parity with 10 minutes left when Phil Doran was judged to have blocked Riley’s shot with an arm.

However McGowan’s kick was pushed away by Mottram to his left.

1874 | Hall (GK), Connor, Russell (Waite-Jackson 77), Pritchard, Thomas (McGowan 65), Freakes, Hind (Woods 65), Matthew Woolley, Riley, Parker, Ryan Jackson Subs not used Fallon, Winthrop Booked Ryan Jackson, Riley

Widnes | Mottram (GK), Roberts, Doran, Pollard, Grogan, Burke, Towey (George Lomax 72), Cook, Hodkinson, Banister, Chris Lomax Subs not used Akrigg, Jones, Laverty, Croughan Goal Towey 18 (penalty) Booked Towey, Cook, George Lomax

Referee Daniel Bruce

Attendance 154