Widnes eased their relegation worries with a crucial victory over fellow engage Super League strugglers Leigh at the Halton Stadium.

Andrew Emilio claimed two of Vikings' six tries but the Centurions battled hard to score five touchdowns themselves, two through John Wilshere.

In the end Emilio's second try in the 64th minute proved enough to just put the game beyond the battling visitors, who are still to register their first win of the season.

The Vikings raced into an early lead after Adam Hughes crossed for his first try of the season after some good work from Paul Crook and Aaron Moule.

However, in the act of scoring, the big Widnes winger looked to have tweaked his troublesome hamstring, and was forced to leave the field.

Leigh hit back immediately with a score from Ian Knott, which Neil Turley easily converted.

Moule, Widnes' top tryscorer, replied for the Vikings with a well-taken try after Mark Smith's pass and Crook added the extras.

In the 22nd minute Widnes centre Gary Connolly got caught cold out wide attempting to cut out a John Duffy pass, which gave Wilshere a free run to the whitewash.

Emelio put Widnes back in front on 27 minutes, with Crook's touchline conversion making the scoreline 16-12.

The Vikings' advantage was extended with a converted try on 33 minutes, as Sala Fa'alogo sent in Matt Whitaker to give the home side a 10-point buffer at the break.

Widnes managed to absorb some good Leigh pressure early in the second half but in the 55th minute Widnes' diminutive scrum-half Gary Hulse scampered in for another score which put some daylight between the two sides.

Yet resilient Leigh would not lie down and Craig Stapleton reduced the deficit to 10 points with an easy try which Turley converted.

Emilio claimed his decisive second when he latched onto Hulse's chip but Widnes were struggling to kill off Leigh and some poor defending out wide let in Wilshere for his second try.

Then Mark Leafa forced his way over for the Centurions and Turley's goal put the game on a knife-edge.

However a vital one-pointer from Widnes youngster Crook ensured the Vikings would take the two points.