DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes described this NWCL Division Two encounter as 'awful.'

The Anchor Ground side, at one time hoping to push for at least a top four finish, have now not won in five games.

"We could finish about eighth or ninth," said Wilkes. "But we are better than that.

"It is ridiculous, we should be up there.

"We just can't score. If Paul Baker isn't scoring, no one is and that is our problem."

Wilkes admitted he was glad he was playing on Saturday.

"I would have hated to be watching that," he admitted.

There was only one chance for each side.

The player-manager came close for Darwen after Dennis Hill's cross had been palmed off the head of Baker by the Ashton goalkeeper and it fell to Wilkes.

He hooked it goalwards and it just skimmed the woodwork.

Ashton's chance came in the first half when Rhead hit the crossbar after he lobbed Darwen keeper Lee Purvis.

And there was more agony for Purvis when he was stretchered off just after the interval after a crunching tackle.

"The referee didn't give anything but Lee will be out for the last five games of the season," added Wilkes.

Defender Andy Walsh was forced between the sticks for the third time this season but keeper Kevin Baldwin will step in on Tuesday night when Cheadle Town are the visitors.

ASHTON TOWN...0 DARWEN...0