DARWEN player/manager Steve Wilkes will be first up to take a penalty if his side win one tonight when they welcome NWCL Division One high fliers Leek CSOB to the Anchor Ground.

The former Preston player stepped up to score two spot-kicks, including a last minute equaliser, in the 3-3 draw at Colne on Saturday.

All this and against Colne's highly-rated penalty saver Ross Baxter who had, prior to the clash, saved seven out of nine spot kicks.

"I had read that in Friday's Lancashire Evening Telegraph that he had saved all those penalties but luckily I forgot about it when I was taking them," said the Darwen chief.

"He is a tall lad but the first one was against the wind so I hammered it and it went into the corner. For the 90th minute one I was under a bit of pressure but I decided to place it and luckily he dived the wrong way."

Wilkes had thought last Saturday's derby might be postponed because of the weather so when Walsh was still in bed and out of contention after flying back from the Dominican Republic he wasn't unduly concerned.

Then Mark Heys rang up with food poisoning followed by Scott Derbyshire with a swollen knee and Lee Webb with a swollen ankle all on Saturday morning.

"I still thought the game would be off and then I got a phone call to say it was on - and I had to play myself even though I have been struggling.

"But I am glad it went ahead as we have been kicking our heels in recent weeks.

"The wind spoilt the game but in the end I guess we were pleased with a draw."

"But we gave silly goals away. Our keeper Kevin Baldwin struggled on two and I tried to nutmeg a lad on the edge of my own area and gave away another.

"I'm glad I did that as I would have been shouting if it had been anyone else."

Wilkes has the quartet of Andy Walsh, Scott Derbyshire, Lee Webb and Mark Heys - who all missed Saturday's game - back for tonight's game and faces a dilemma over whether to recall Lee Purvis or play Kevin Baldwin in the number one slot.

Darwen are on a run of six League games unbeaten and haven't lost since November 17 - but they have drawn their last four encounters.

"I know it is an old cliche but we need to turn draws into wins now. Leek are an unknown quantity, we haven't played them yet but they are up there. We are a good side but we are just making silly mistakes."

Elsewhere, in Division two, Bacup are at home to Daisy Hill while Colne make the trip to Castleton Gabriels.

Holt House boss John Lister was pleased with his side's showing against Darwen - especially as they were reduced to ten men early on when Gareth West saw red.

"Its going to take a very good side to beat us while we are in this mood!" said the player/boss.

Striker Jonathan Irvine is out because of work commitments but James Webster returns. Lister may also have a new face in the side as they have been eyeing a midfielder at Bamber Bridge.

In the Lancashire Marsden Trophy third round, there is a local derby at the Riverside where Ramsbottom welcome FA Vase quarter-finalists Clitheroe - who face either Whitley Bay or Brigg Town in the next round at Shawbridge.

Rams manager Mike Kelly is keen to win this one as his side focus on winning some silverware this season. The winners make the trip to UniBond Premier high fliers Barrow.