Darwen Alex warmed up for next weekend's LFA Sunday Trophy quarter final clash with a hard fought 2-0 victory against the young guns of Knuzden.

Goals from Lyndon Howarth and Martin Horsfield pushed the experienced Alex side up to fourth place in Blackburn Sunday League Division One.

The match proved to be the ideal preparation for the Trophy clash as Sunday's opponent's, Mossley Hill Athletic from Liverpool, are also a young side like Knuzden.

Another team on Trophy duty, New Gardeners, continued their fine form in the league with a 3-1 win against Witton Inn.

Glenn Ainsworth, Paddy Lauber and Craig Andre scored for the Darwen side with Steve Maxwell replying for Witton.

In Division Two, Heys Inn won their first match since September with a convincing 4-1 win against Knuzden Brook with Liam McMillan scoring all four goals. Anthony Corry replied for Knuzden.

Stop and Rest are still seeking their first win after an Andrew Morris first half strike guided White Bull to victory.

In Division Three, Golden Cup maintained their promotion hopes with an 8-0 win against Intack. Darren Brindle hit four with Anthony Hampson (2), Gerald Bell and Andy Hartland completing the scoring.

Darwen Catholic Club ended a run of four straight defeats thanks to four goals from Anthony Pilkington in a 6-0 win against James Street. Daniel Stubberfield scored twice.

And Barry Devitt scored a hat-trick to guide Punchbowl to a 3-1 win against Pentland -- but only after Lee Jones made a brilliant penalty save.