DARWEN'S goal-scoring streak - 17 goals in four matches - came to an abrupt end with a 0-0 draw against Nelson last Saturday and Darwen manager Steve Wilkes bemoaned the absence of his injured striker Paul Baker.

"We had two or three really good chances and if Paul Baker had been playing he would have put at least one away," said Wilkes.

"But that is the way with good players, you are always going to miss them.

"I said last week it was good he wasn't in the team because other players had started scoring instead but on Saturday I wished he was there!"

Darwen travel to Norton, who were beaten 4-2 by Bacup on Tuesday, in NWCL Division Two tomorrow and have major injury and suspension problems.

Baker is still out, the manager Wilkes and assistant Matt Atkinson are suspended, Jimmy Khan has a hamstring strain, Scott Grundy is unavailable and Matt Anderton will have a late fitness test.

"I am gutted I'm out because I want to play every game," said Wilkes. "But that is the way it is when you've won four or five, you just want to play all the time.

"But I am going to have to make changes which is a shame because I have had a settled side over the last few games and that has contributed to us winning.

"Having Jimmy Khan at the centre of defence has helped a lot but he will be out."

Paul Baker should return for the Boxing Day match at home to Castleton Gabriels.