DARWEN manager Steve Mullen has no qualms about being hit for six in midweek.

The Anchor Ground side lost 6-0 in the Lancashire FA Marsden Trophy at the hands of North West Counties First Division outfit Atherton Collieries.

But Mullen praised his inexperienced youngsters for putting up a brave fight.

"I rested quite a few first team players on Tuesday to let the younger members of the squad be involved," he said.

"I didn't expect them to score six goals, but I wasn't disappointed with what I saw from the young lads, it was the more the older ones I was disappointed with.

"But it was all part of the learning curve for us.

"Plus I'm not interested in cup runs this season. Our main focus at the moment has to be getting points in the league and establishing ourselves.

"I don't want to get on a cup run and then see Darwen ending up at the bottom of the league."

So Mullen will now turn his attentions to tomorrow's league showdown with Blackpool Mechanics.

And, with a full squad to choose from, the Darwen boss is confident of building on their league form.

"They are always tough games against Mechanics, and although they are below us in the table, that counts for nothing because they beat Silsden, who I would say are the best team we've played so far.

"But we know what we've got to do and I don't think we are far away from being a settled squad capable of holding our own in the league."