DARWEN...0 GREAT HARWOOD TOWN...1

A DISPUTED Paul Mashiter penalty was enough to secure three points for Great

Harwood Town in their feisty derby clash with Darwen at the Anchor Ground.

The hosts dominated much of the second half however the game ultimately came down to spot kicks, with Darwen missing one of their own courtesy of Dennis Hill.

"It was a disappointing game - the luck ultimately wasn't with us," said Darwen boss Steve Wilkes.

"I think both penalties were questionable, however, we had two very good shouts turned down by a weak referee."

The first chance of the match went the Robins' way with Liam Taylor firing over the bar after a Matt Anderton mis-cue.

Anthony Green then mis-kicked at the other end only for Neil Almond to miss the target, Steve Pickup headed wide from a corner and Paul Brown saw a goal-bound effort blocked.

On 36 minutes Town broke the deadlock after Anderton was adjudged to have

tugged Mashiter's shirt in the box and the frontman duly stepped up to hit an accurate penalty into the top corner giving Rob Batty no chance.

After the break Mark Westhead appeared to be fouled in the area but Darwen's

appeals were waved away, and Almond failed to connect properly with a header four yards out.

Stubberfield was then brought down for a penalty, but Hill failed to beat Bobby Harris from 12 yards and Town ultimately held on to claim three precious points.

Boss John Hughes said: "I'm proud of some of the younger lads who really showed they could do a job in a pressure situation.

"We were under the cosh a bit at times but Andy McNally was excellent up front, as was Anthony Green at the back."