DARWEN went three points clear at the top of the First North Western Trains League Second Division last night thanks to a comprehensive victory over bogey team Chadderton.

The Anchormen have struggled to despatch the Manchester side in the past but first half strikes by Michael Douglas and Lee Slater set up their 12th victory of the season.

After striking the bar early on, Steve Wilkes' men swept ahead on 30 minutes when a slick move involving David Barnes, Neil Almond, and Paul, Baker finished up with Douglas slamming the ball home. And two minutes later Slater made it 2-0 with a sweetly struck free kick. Baker bagged the third on 55 minutes with a fierce volley from the edge of the box after swapping passes with Steve Lynch. But the visitors hit back with 15 minutes remaining when Lynch was penalised for a push on Russell Clarke and Chris Barlow thumped home the spot kick.

But Baker had the last laugh scoring his 22nd goal of the season near the death.

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