DARWEN are up to second in the Northern League after a five wicket win at Blackpool.

The Towers chased down their target of 178 to secure victory inside 46 overs.

David Bowden took 4-49 for the visitors with the ball as Blackpool relied heavuly on Stephen Twist’s 75 having fallen to 27-3 early on.

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He steered the home side up to a competitive total but Darwen openers Ammer Mirza (55) and Scott Jackson (20) put on 53 for the first wicket.

The away side wobbled to go from 84-1 to 87-5 and at that stage Blackpool sensed victory.

But Mark Friend made an unbeaten 59 off 41 balls including eight fours and a six to get Darwen over the line.

John Cordingley weighed in with an unbeaten 29 to leave Darwen 13 points off leaders Morecambe.

Chorley’s run of good form came to an end as they were the victims of a superb Barrow batting performance.

Tharanga Paranavitana and Michael Wellings put on 96 for the fourth wicket and each man made exactly 100 as the Cumbrians piled on 261-4.

But a resolute Chorley batting performance secured them a losing draw with Ian Dickinson’s 71 underpinning their innings as the home side closed on 198-9.