INJURIES led to Darwen's downfall last night, but manager Steve Wilkes blasted his players for "throwing in the towel".

Goalkeeper Rob Batty suffered a three-inch head wound, which needed six stitches, after being caught by David Harper's bladed boots in a challenge early in the second half.

But by that stage Darwen were already 3-0 down, and Leek had no problem in adding three more goals with Jimmy Khan replacing Batty in goal when play resumed 20 minutes later.

But it was an injury to Scott Grundy five minutes before the break which led to Darwen's demise.

After Grundy limped off with an Achilles problem, Ross Barnham mis-judged a ball over the top and Michael Morton was on hand to score.

Wilkes' side sorely missed Matt Anderton and Denny Khan, who were both unavailable for last night's trip, but mounted an impressive fightback at the start of the second half.

However, it lasted only five minutes as, from a corner, Alan Naggington lost marker Craig Shaw inside the area and fired home a free header from five yards.

Within 30 seconds, Paul Brown was caught out of position when he lost the ball and Naggington made it 3-0.

Darwen went close to getting back into the game but Steve Pickup hit the crossbar while Mark Westhead and Dennis Hill both had shots blocked off the line.

Hill then made a powder-puff challenge on edge of box and Naggington had no hesitation in completing his hat-trick to make it 4-0.

Darwen went into their shell after that and David Harper and Morton completed the rout.

LEEK CSOB ...6

DARWEN ...0