DARWEN came from behind at Castleton Gabriels to book a place in the next round of the League Challenge Cup despite ending the game with only eight men.

The visitors' depleted side owed much to a controversial refereeing display that left boss Steve Wilkes at his wit's end.

He said: "I have to say that I've never seen a performance like it in all my time in football.

"Some of the decisions beggered belief and we'll be reporting our concerns to the authorities."

The hosts took the lead when a Graham Hicks corner caught on-loan keeper Daniel Morton off-guard and went straight in, but Darwen levelled when Paul Brown bundled home a Dennis Hill centre.

Substitute Scott Derbyshire was then booked for coaching from the touchline to kick-start the questionable decisions.

Craig Shaw saw red, as did Neil Almond, but only after he had struck twice in the extra period to secure Darwen's victory.

Castleton's misery was compounded when Micky Bartholomew missed a penalty for the hosts at the death.