HOLKER OLD BOYS...1 DARWEN...2

DARWEN made light work of their 'uphill struggle' at Holker Old Boys to claim all three NWCL Division Two points.

Steve Wilkes' side played excellent football in the first half, despite having to contend with the infamous slope at Rakesmoor Lane, and went 1-0 up after 20 minutes with a Craig Shaw volley into the top corner.

Daniel Stubberfield had a one-on-one saved by the keeper's feet and Shaw saw his header cleared off the line as Darwen dominated proceedings.

The visitors couldn't maintain their high standards after the break, although their Barrow hosts did little to suggest a fightback was on the cards.

All the best chances fell to Darwen, and after Stubberfield sent an adventurous volley wide of goal, Dennis Hill rose to head home after great work by the in-form Ben Jackson.

Round wrecked Darwen's hopes of another clean sheet with a goal on 90 minutes and the same player could have grabbed an undeserved point for his side seconds later but for a fine near post save by Lee Kennedy.