Hull claimed fourth place in Super League with a workmanlike win over out-of-form Widnes at the Boulevard.

Shaun McRae's side were not at their best but still had too much for the Vikings, outscoring the visitors by five tries to three.

The Vikings managed tries from David Mills, Robert Relf and Stuart Spruce, but Adam Hughes had a nightmare game, conceding a try and being sin-binned.

Hull had to wait until the 15th minute to take the lead, Prescott knocking over a 40-metre penalty.

The home side extended their advantage four minutes later when forward King ran through Vikings full-back Spruce to score by the posts.

Cancelled out

Hughes was sent to the sin-bin for laying on the ball in the tackle after 25 minutes, the error costing the Vikings as they conceded again eight minutes later.

Barry Eaton had chiselled two points off Hull's advantage with a penalty but it was quickly cancelled out by a Ryan try.

Mills carried four Hull players over the line with him as he forced his way over for a score improved by Hughes.

But any prospect of a Vikings revival was quickly snuffed out after the break however as Raynor touched down within two minutes of the restart.

Hughes' misery was compounded in the 53rd minute when he carelessly flicked the ball behind him under pressure from Raynor and Chester gleefully accepted four more points.

Widnes managed to pull two tries back in the space of three minutes, but it was too little too late.

Horne put the seal on Hull's win, sprinting clear from halfway to cruise in for try number number five on 67 minutes.

Widnes: Spruce, Dimitrio, Potter, Hughes, Percival, Carter, Eaton, Relf, Cantillon, Stone, Farrell, McCurrie, Frame. Replacements: Mills, O'Neil, Atcheson, Richardson.

Referee: Steve Ganson (St Helens)