SUPER sub Jason Jones clinched the points for Nelson in the closing stages of this hard-fought derby.

Darwen will have felt hard done by having survived all that Nelson threw at them in the first half and coming back strongly after the interval, when they might have grabbed a goal themselves.

But Nelson looked stronger from the kick-off and repeatedly found openings in the visitors' defence.

Nelson almost took the lead after 26 minutes, when Brad Pates' low free kick was driven into the goalmouth, where Martin Fletcher's flick-on looked to have steered the ball just inside the far post, but Ross Henderson made a great clearance with a back-heel off the goal line to rescue Darwen.

Nelson keeper Billy Carrington was relieved to see the ball slip wide of the post when he was unable to hold on to Gordon Moore's shot on 36 minutes, but Neil Chapman then shot wide of the Darwen goal as play switched to the other end and presented a golden opportunity.

Darwen keeper Andrew Morris made a great save to block Robert Grimes' close-range shot early in the second half and was called into action again on the hour to turn a Pates effort round the post with a diving save.

The visitors hit back with a quick attack that saw Paul Aldred blast an angled shot against the Blues crossbar.

But Nelson continued to create openings and Jones was the goal hero shortly after replacing Paul Fildes.

Jones used his height and strength to win the ball from a corner and his downwards header put the home side in front.

Craig Taylor almost levelled the scores in the final minute but Nelson keeper Billy Carrington made a good diving save to turn his shot round the post.

and ensure that the Blues held onto the three points.

Darwen had another let-off on the stroke of half time when Paul Fildes caused panic in the visitors' defence and his cross ricocheted off two defenders in the goalmouth before going behind for a Nelson corner.

with Paul Fildes and Neil Chapman tormenting the Darwen defence and the visitors' keeper several times struggled to hold onto the slippery ball in the wet conditions.

When Fildes won a corner after 83 minutes, he was immediately substituted by Jason Jones who took up position at the far post for the resulting kick.