DARWEN Rangers Lads were hoping to reach the magical mark of 100 goals for the season but Blackburn Town obviously had other ideas.

Darwen have been on fire in this friendly league having banged in 98 goals in 13 matches -- with young Blackburn Rovers hopeful Lewis Staffa leading the goal charge.

But Staffa came up against the commanding figure of J J Cocker in the heart of Blackburn's defence who was solid as a rock.

This was no means backs-against-the-wall stuff for a Blackburn side who took the game to their free scoring opponents in a thrilling but goalless encounter.

In fact, Jordan McKenna and the lively Danny Booth both came close to opening the scoring for Blackburn before Staffa showed just why is attracted attention from Rovers.

The livewire striker latched on to a long ball and his instinctive swivel shot beat Blackburn keeper Sam Leyland. Unfortunately the ball stuck in the mud on the line!

Blackburn responded well and Booth fired wide after chasing a long headed clearance by Cocker.

Liam Challenger then saw one shot blocked before keeper Liam Holden got down well to smother his follow up.

Challenger and Booth then created another opening but Booth failed to connect cleanly and Holden tipped his shot around the post.

In a free flowing game, Darwen countered and Sam Ashton fired in to the side netting after a powerful run and Staffa narrowly missed the target soon after.

And Staffa came closest to breaking the deadlock just before the break when his powerful shot was well saved by Leyland who tipped the ball on to the bar before the ball was cleared off the line.

Darwen introduced Oliver Holden after the break and the tall striker causes Blackburn problems from the start.

After one surging run, Holden pulled the ball back from the byline and Staffa fired wide with the goal at this mercy.

Staffa then forced another good save out of Leyland and as Darwen upped the pressure, the keeper saved with his legs to keep out a low drive from Holden.

Blackburn showed their determination to keep Darwen at bay when Booth made a brilliant tackle on Holden just as he shaped up to shoot.

But Blackburn hit back and McKenna set Booth free but he pulled his shot wide.

With time running out, Blackburn had one last chance to win the match when Jack Normington did well to unsettle the Darwen defence and McKeena nipped in on a clear run in on goal but Ryan Smalley produced a great goal saving tackle.

No goals but a real thriller and the draw was the best result.

BLACKBURN AND DARWEN JUNIOR LEAGUE UNDER EIGHTS

Darwen Rangers Lads 0 Blackburn Town 0

DARWEN RANGERS LADS: Liam Holden, Ryan Smalley, Sam Ashton, Oliver Scott, Lewis Staffa, Oliver Holden and Andrew Atkin

BLACKBURN TOWN: Sam Leyland, Jordan McKenna, Liam Challenger, Danny Booth, John Joseph Cocker, Jack Normington and Daniel Boardman