DARWEN let three points slip through their grasp after conceding a late goal in a NWCL Division Two stalemate at Blackpool Mechanics.

In what Darwen boss Steve Wilkes described as a 'dire' game at Jepson Way, chances were few and far between.

Darwen failed to make the most of the width they found, and Andrew Smith showed the only moment of quality in a poor first half, running 60 yardsonly to shoot wide.

The second half was marginally better than the first in terms of goal-scoring opportunities - Gareth Woods missed a one-on-one and Denny Khan blazed over from the rebound - yet the bumpy pitch meant play never got going.

With 20 minutes remaining Matt Anderton got on the score-sheet with a magnificent strike totally out of character with the rest of the match.

A free-kick was whipped into the danger area and cleared to the edge of the box where Anderton unleashed a left foot volley straight over the keeper's head.

However, the visitors failed to hang on for victory as minutes before the final whistle Mechanics' Dennis Walsh converted from the edge of the box, much to Wilkes disappointment.

"That's two points thrown away in my view," he said.

BLACKPOOL MECHANICS...1 DARWEN...1