The stalemate extended the Whites’ advantage at the top of the Northern Premier League West to six points after defeats for second-placed Vauxhall Motors and third-placed Congleton Town.

Two stops from Mark Halstead – including a second half wonder save – preserved what could prove to be a precious point for Michael Ellison’s team against the big-spending Pitmen, who sit fourth, nine points behind Widnes having played a game more.

Ellison made no apologies after the game either, setting up with a stubborn formation that put the onus on Gavin Hurren’s team to chase three points that were desperately needed to reinvigorate any title challenge.

And the Widnes boss got his gameplan spot on.

He revered to a three-man defence with Jay Cooper making his first start for the club in almost a decade after re-signing from Bootle last week, slotting in alongside Jack Byrne and Louis Isherwood.

Sam Bird made his debut after arriving on loan from Chorley, providing support along with Matty Rain from the flanks for midfield pair Ste Irwin and Kingsley Williams.

Dom McGiveron was recalled to start as a No.10 in the continued absence of Sean Miller while James Steele and Sharif Deans were paired together as forwards.

Widnes were organised and resolute, and while they were restricted to fleeting moments in attack, Ellison’s team earned their point extending their unbeaten away record to 11 matches.

Hednesford started with intent in front of an expectant home crowd, with the particularly lively Jack Bearne making early inroads from the left.

But the Pitmen had to wait until the 19th minute to truly threaten when Ahkeem Rose stabbed an effort at goal from a corner that was cleared off the line before Steele was fouled as he tidied up the danger.

Dom McHale then went close. Widnes conceded possession cheaply and they were almost punished as McHale drove at a retreating defensive line, firing a powerful effort that was superbly beaten away by the excellent Halstead.

Rose took a tumble in the area from the resulting corner as he chased a loose ball, but referee Jack Lambert wasn’t interested in home penalty appeals.

The Pitmen controlled possession throughout the first half but never truly hurt the Widnes backline.

Chris Hussey’s free-kick was seemingly dropping just wide when Halstead took no chances, tipping the effort around the post and while McHale did strike the outside of the post inside stoppage time, the forward would have done extremely well to score from such an acute angle.

Deans did force Tony Breeden into a save late in the half, but it was a routine save for the Hednesford keeper despite a deflection.

Widnes started the second half well and enjoyed a little bit more territory in Hednesford’s half.

McGiveron did well to play a slide rule pass into the feet of Steele in a promising position, but he scuffed his shot and despite Hussey slipping when he attempted to clear the ball, no Widnes attacker was in reach and Breeden could gather.

Chances then followed at both ends.

Steele again went close, this time forcing a really good save out of Breeden but Hednesford promptly cleared their lines and launched a counter-attack of their own.

Substitute Nathan Blissett appeared to foul Isherwood in the build-up and this sprung McHale into acres of space. He surged forward, dropped his shoulder to get past Byrne and attempted to do the same to Cooper on the edge of the area, but the Widnes man had recovered excellently and made a well-timed challenge to bring an end to the move.

The Pitmen’s best opportunity came after 74 minutes.

It was the first time Widnes had been under the cosh and when Harry McGee couldn’t clear, Elliott Johnson’s deep cross was delicious and Blissett had made a brilliant run to peel away from Isherwood, directing a powerful header at goal that was pushed away by a sensational Halstead save.

That stop seemed to suck a bit of a wind out of the home crowd and while Hednesford peppered the Widnes area, they struggled to create anything substantial, often forcing corners and crosses that the Whites dealt with handily.

Dan Trickett-Smith, one of the division’s best players, was kept quiet for the Pitmen and his only real opportunity of note sailed way over Halstead’s crossbar from a central position inside the D.

Seven minutes were added on and there was still time for a heart-in-mouth moment deep into stoppage time.

Halstead got a strong glove on a cross that looked to have sat up nicely for substitute Joel Taylor to convert into an empty net, but debutant Bird did brilliantly to adjust his body and make a point-saving challenge.

Widnes held on to pick up the point they desired, maintaining their lead at the top of the table with tough away games at Clitheroe and Avro to come.

Hednesford: Breeden, Morgan, Johnson (C), Maye (Taylor 81), Harrison, Hussey, Bearne (Jervis 71), Doyle-Charles, Rose (Blissett 59), McHale (Sutherland 89), Trickett-Smith

Sub not used: Brown

Widnes: Halstead, Bird, Rain, Cooper, Byrne, Isherwood, Irwin (C), Williams (Rydel 85), Steele (McGowan 81), McGiveron (McGee 66), Deans

Subs not used: Holland-Wilkinson, Peterson