Darwen 3 Rossendale United 5

DARWEN player-boss Steve Wilkes saw his side lose a two-goal lead to neighbours Rossendale then to add salt into the wounds he was sent off in the closing minutes.

Darwen had cruised into a 2-0 lead. Neil Durkin scored the first after seven minutes then Paul Curley added the second midway through the half.

But Dale pulled one back before the break and went on the rampage after the interval turning the game on its head.

Micky Graham's men raced into a 5-2 lead and Denny Khan's strike for the home side was just a consolation goal.

"We didn't look to be in any danger but we defended poorly," admitted a very disappointed Wilkes.

"Getting sent off just made a bad night worse.

"I was booked for dissent after their fourth goal which I thought was offside.

"Then I was booked again towards the end for a foul but I was nowhere near the lad."

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