Australian David Furner scored twice as Wigan stretched their unbeaten run to seven games with a win over Widnes at the JJB Stadium.

The forward went over twice in the first half to help the Warriors go into the break 14-0 ahead, in the week when he was told his contract will not be renewed next season.

Furner, a victim of next season's salary cap, grabbed the first after good work from teenage centre Martin Aspinwall.

He then struck on the opposite wing courtesy of another Wigan youngster Sean O'Loughlin, who was standing in for injured brother-in-law Andy Farrell.

Furner was denied a hat-trick when Jamie Ainscough raced clear but failed to offload when the former Australian Test forward had the line at his mercy.

Julian O'Neill took over the goalkicking duties from the absent Farrell and hit the target with all three attempts in the first half.

Widnes had no answer to Papua New Guinea star Adrian Lam, who set up Wigan's third for David Hodgson before going over himself for the fourth.

Hodgson then grabbed his second to mark his return after a five-match injury absence, and Wigan completed the job with a further try from Stephen Wild.

The win keeps the Warriors in touch with the top two, but there was bad news as winger Brett Dallas was carried off and immediately ruled out of Tuesday's game against St Helens.

Widnes coach Neil Kelly admitted they were second best after seeing Wigan do the double over them.

"We are not too upset and didn't deserve to lose by that score," he said.

"Overall I was pleased with the performance - Wigan play at a level we are trying to get to, and next year I'd like to think we will be a lot closer if not better."

Wigan: Connolly, Dallas, Aspinwall, Hodgson, Ainscough, O'Neill, Lam, O'Connor, M. Smith, C. Smith, Furner, Cassidy, O'Loughlin. Replacements: Bibey, Tickle, Howard, Wild.

Widnes: Spruce, Dimitrio, Potter, Hughes, Long, Weston, Eaton, Relf, Cantillon, Stone, Atcheson, McCurrie, Frame. Replacements: Mills, McDonald, Munro, Richardson.

Referee: Karl Kirkpatrick (Warrington).