DARWEN'S fast-fading promotion hopes were dealt a further blow when they were held to a disappointing draw in their final home game of the season.

Boss Steve Wilkes made three changes to try instigate an improvement after the mid-week defeat to Warrington.

But Darwen again failed to raise their game in a match that had a real end-of-season feel about it, even though three points for Wilkes' men would have kept the pressure on Nelson and Woodley Sports, who were held to a draw at Holker Old Boys.

It was a case of missed opportunities for the Anchormen. Darwen were awarded a penalty after just eight minutes when Mark Bennett was brought down but Michael Douglas saw his spot-kick well saved by Gareth Gray.

The home side did take the lead 10 minutes later when Mick Lynch scored from close in after Andy Walsh had headed a Douglas free-kick across the face of goal.

But top-scorer Paul Baker then spurned an excellent chance to make it 2-0 when he headed over from in front of goal after half-an-hour.

And with Darwen losing their way after the break they were made to pay mid-way through the half when Paul Paynter repeated his goal from the first meeting between the sides.

Wilkes' men were unable to respond as the game petered out and it would seem they must now take maximum points from their last three away games to have any chance of going up.

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