Goals from James Steele, Sean Miller and Sharif Deans fired Widnes on to the brink of the Northern Premier League West title with a 3-1 win at Vauxhall Motors.

Victory on Easter Monday, coupled with Hednesford Town’s draw with Stafford Rangers, moved the Whites three points clear with just one game still to play.

In fact, Widnes were within 10 minutes of securing the championship but Jake Jervis’ late equaliser for Hednesford ensured that the title race would go to the final day and the visit of Trafford at the DCBL Stadium.

Manager Michael Ellison made two changes to the side held by Nantwich Town last time out with Brendan O’Brien and Tom Peterson given the nod ahead of Harry McGee and Jack McGowan.

A winless run of five games and the lead at the top of the table being cut to a single point prompted the tactical re-think from the boss, switching to a 3-4-1-2 formation and it was a call that Ellison got absolutely spot on.

Widnes started well with Niall Battersby flicking a Sam Bird long throw over inside two minutes before Peterson squandered a gilt-edged chance for an opener when he raced on to a through ball, only to poke the ball wide when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Vauxhall grew into the contest and their aggressive, direct, back-to-front style of play began to cause the visitors issues, who were still adapting to the change in system.

Motors took the lead just before the midpoint of the half albeit fortuitously.

Will Dunne’s free-kick took a huge deflection of the Widnes wall and forced the off-balance Mark Halstead into a terrific save, but a goal-line scrambled ensued and eventually Josh Quarless arrived to bundle home the opener.

The goalscorer was proving to be a general nuisance up top for Vauxhall and he went close with an impressive acrobatic effort that was comfortably held by Halstead.

Halstead was again tested minutes later, this time by a long-range Dunne effort, but again, the save was routine.

By this point, Widnes had gained a grip of proceedings and came within inches of an equaliser as Bird smashed the upright before Adam Rooney threw his body in the way of a Matty Rain shot.

Ellison’s team were on top and ending the half strongly, ultimately being rewarded with a goal three minutes before the break.

Skipper Ste Irwin’s shot was parried by goalkeeper Alex Swindell straight into the path of Steele who reacted quickest to turn home his 17th goal of the season.

Steele almost added a second right on half-time with a clever flick from a fierce Miller cross, but Toby Jones got himself in the way on the goal-line and it remained 1-1 at the break.

Widnes remained in the ascendancy and were awarded a penalty 10 minutes after the restart.

O’Brien played a magnificent through ball over the top that set Steele in behind. Swindell came over to meet him and looked to play the ball first when attempting to smother at the forward’s feet, but referee Ryan Aldred, after a momentary glance over at his linesman, pointed to the spot.

Miller, despite missing his previous three penalties, stepped up and showed great composure and character to send Swindell the wrong way and his team into the lead.

Hednesford were a goal down at Stafford and that penalty meant Widnes were heading for the title if the scores were to remain the same.
Ellison’s side pushed for more. There was a hint of handball when Dom Hoppe blocked a Bird cross and when Jones got in the way of seemingly goalbound Rain effort.

And Widnes soon put the Motormen to the sword when substitute Deans, within seconds of his introduction, slotted in his first goal since November after a remarkable piece of play from Miller to conjure up an opportunity out of nothing.

What followed was a clinic in game management from a Widnes side seemingly about to be crowned champions before news filtered through that Hednesford had scored a leveller at Stafford, pausing any potential celebrations.

Widnes now need to avoid defeat in their final home game against Trafford, while the Pitmen need to beat Runcorn Linnets and hope the Whites lose to take automatic promotion and the title on goal difference.

Vauxhall Motors: Swindell, Mbolokele (Corness 74), Hill (Hoppe 39), Rooney, Jones, Holmes (C), Quarless (Ellison 70), Kay, Rankin, Rushton, Dunne (Burkey 63)

Sub not used: Hughes.

Widnes: Halstead, Bird, Rain, Battersby, O’Brien, Isherwood, Irwin (C), Rydel, Peterson (Deans 71), Miller (McGee 84), Steele

Subs not used: McGowan, Byrne, Williams