Michael Ellison insists that Widnes can't look beyond the next game ahead of Saturday's trip to Hanley Town.

The Whites can secure a top five finish with a win if Stalybridge Celtic fail to defeat Runcorn Linnets.

But Widnes are targeting the ultimate prize and speaking to BBC Merseyside Sport, Ellison is keen to keep feet on the ground with seven games to go.

"We're in a great position, and that's obviously the plan, but I know it's a cliche, you literally just have to take the next game," Ellison said.

"Seven games is a lot of games; a lot of points to be played for. We'd rather have that seven-point lead than being the ones chasing but I don't envisage teams like Hednesford dropping many points.

"We're going to have to win a lot of those games, which is a big ask, but we've done it all season and we're up there on merit so hopefully that will continue."

Widnes's success has been built on solid foundations, boasting the division's best attack (71 goals for) and the best defence (34 goals against).

Ellison is keen for his team to tighten up ahead of Saturday's trip to Hanley Town after conceding twice to both Chasetown and Wythenshawe Town in recent contests.

"We've improved from last season - we knew we had to score more goals," Ellison said.

"Everyone's chipped in too. We haven't got that 20-goal marksman just yet but we're scoring goals from all areas of the pitch including set-pieces which is something we work on regularly.

"It's worked up to now. We've gone away from that the last couple of games and we shouldn't have to score three goals to win matches in my opinion.

"But you're always up against a good side in this division. We're at that stage of the season now where teams are always playing for something, whether that be play-offs or fighting against relegation."