TWO first-half goals helped Darwen overcome neighbours Colne at Holt House.

The NWCL Division Two clash was a largely scrappy affair as both teams struggled to get their passing game going on a poor surface.

But the visitors managed to break the deadlock after just four minutes when the reinstated Lee Webb volleyed home from the edge of the box.

Darwen doubled their advantage on the half-hour when Matt Anderton latched on to player-manager Steve Wilkes' free kick into the penalty area and headed home.

Dennis Hill then skied a one-on-one, which he lived to regret as Colne enjoyed more possession and earned four corners in quick succession.

The pressure told five minutes before the break when the home side hit back when Darwen failed to clear a Gavin Cooper corner and Gavin Richards headed in from close range.

Much of the second half belonged to Colne as they pushed the visitors back and Chris Ingham hit the post with a header before Cooper fired just wide across the face of goal.

The Reds had two strong penalty claims turned down when Paul Barrett and Cooper appeared to have been fouled in the box.

Wide man Cooper went close to equalising but flashed his effort narrowly over the bar.

A rare breakaway by Darwen produced a fine save from Ross Baxter, while, at the opposite end, Gareth West thumped a header against the post and George Craddock missed an open goal as Colne threw more men forward.

But Darwen held on for the win, and might even have snatched a third had Paul Baker been more accurate with only the keeper to beat.

Darwen boss Wilkes said: "I'm very pleased with the result. This game was more about a desire to win than playing good football.

"We made life a bit difficult for ourselves conceding when we did, however, we dug deep to take all three points."

Colne manager Andy Lawson, however, felt his side deserved something from the game after a determined fightback in the second half.

COLNE...1 DARWEN...2