DELIGHTED Darwen manager Steve Wilkes has hailed his committed band of players for securing a return to the North West Counties Division One.

The Reds' fate was confirmed last night as rivals Ashton were thrashed 6-1 at home by Division Two champions Colne.

That result meant Darwen, who had already completed their fixtures, finished fourth and will be promoted under the league's summer shake-up.

And Wilkes, who was at last night's game, believes the players fully deserve to reclaim their place in Division One after a six-year absence.

"We work hard for nine months every year and put a lot of time and effort in. This time we've been rewarded and it feels good," the Darwen chief said.

"The players deserve a big pat on the back because they've travelled to every game this season in their cars and they never complain. They just get on with the job.

"And unlike some teams, they haven't had a penny all season.

"The three teams that finished above us pay their players, and probably a few teams below us pay too.

"But I think their attitude comes down to respect in some ways because it would be easy for them to go elsewhere and get paid.

"Most of the lads have been together for about four or five years now and we're like a family."

Wilkes, who is now planning a promotion party for his troops, added: "I set them a task at Christmas when we found out that the top four would go up.

"We knew we wouldn't catch Colne because they had so many games in hand and looked certain to win the league, but I told the players that we had to aim for fourth. That was top of our league.

"We've only lost three games since Christmas and the lads have been magnificent."

Experienced striker Dennis Hill has played a big part in Darwen's run following his return from illness in the New Year, while Wilkes said Paul Brown had done a tremendous job as captain following his move from Nelson in November last year.

The Reds boss continued: "I know we've gone up by default because we've finished fourth but we only came down by default six years ago.

"We finished fifth from bottom that season but because the league said we needed 12 urinals and we only had six we were relegated.

"So I guess what goes around comes around, and we're going to enjoy this moment."