A GOAL two minutes from time maintained Darwen and Blackburn's unbeaten league record and kept their promotion charge bang on course.

In a pulsating match, Darwen and Blackburn came from behind three times to equalise against a very good Longridge side.

Jean Darby rounded off a fine individual performance with two goals but it was Karen Curnow who was the hero of the hour when her close range tap-in made sure Darwen and Blackburn picked up a well deserved and hard fought point.

Darwen and Blackburn started the game well putting pressure on Longridge's defence and coping well with most of Longridge attacks.

However Longridge scored against the run of the play after a quick break down the right wing led to a goal.

Darwen and Blackburn were put on the back foot by the goal and came under severe pressure from the Longridge forwards. But they weathered the storm and levelled the score with a good shot by Jean Darby from a short corner.

Both teams continued to be evenly matched throughout the rest of the first half but after having a goal disallowed Darwen and Blackburn fell behind again when Longridge took the lead with an excellent solo goal.

After the break Longridge had a chance to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty after a Darwen & Blackburn defender stopped the ball on the line with a foot.

But keeper Donna Bates produced a superb diving save to the left to keep out the penalty. That inspired Darwen & Blackburn who broke through Longridge's stubborn defence with a good run from Jean Darby, who then went on to score. However Longridge regained the initiative and regained the lead with another well-taken goal.

With time slipping away Darwen & Blackburn were again pressuring the opposition's defence with some good shots on goal but Longridge's keeper was in good form.

But with less than 2 minutes to go the equaliser was just tipped over the Longridge goal line by Karen Curnow, bringing a very tight match to a satisfactory conclusion.

DARWEN AND BLACKBURN: Donna Bates, Helen Penman, Gill Howarth, Alison O'Donnell, Tracy Moss, Karen Curnow, Jean Darby, Vikki Eastwood, Sandra Pilkington, Liz Bradshaw and Anisha Bateman.

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