Darwen 1 Clitheroe 2

TWO defensive blunders cost Darwen dearly against derby rivals Clitheroe at The Anchor.

The first was committed by centre half John Smith who passed the ball into the path of John Penman to set up Clitheroe's opener.

The second was a mistake from keeper Simon Smith who came for a cross, totally misjudged the ball's trajectory and let Clive Dunn in for a simple tap-in.

On balance, though, Clitheroe created more clearcut opportunities and Smith had to make some good blocks to deny Clitheroe another goal.

"I'm really disappointed - we presented them with two goals," said Darwen manager Ian McGarry.

"It was a good game, played in excellent spirit and a tremendous advert for North West Counties' football.

"But we didn't deserve to lose the game."

Opposite number Denis Underwood begged to differ.

"I look at what the keeper has to do and their keeper had to make a number of saves whereas ours didn't," he said. "I thought we played a little nervously but we got two goals to their one and that, at the end of the day, is the telling factor."

Penman, after collecting a ball generously delivered by John Smith, beat his man and then the keeper to score after 20 minutes.

On the half hour Neil Reynolds sent Andrew smith down the left flank.

He whipped over a good cross to Mark Walsh who headed home competently at the far post, although the Clitheroe defence was conspicuous by its absence.

Two minutes prior to half-time a Dave Sharples free deceived Smith in the Darwen goals and Dunn kept his cool to fire the Blues back into the lead.

Darwen tried hard to get back into the game in the second half but their final ball often let them down.

Penman and Paul Mullin had chances at the opposite end but couldn't deliver the killer blow.

"I think we'd have relaxed had we got another goal but I'm pleased with the result if not by the overall performance," added Underwood.

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