A DELAYED kick-off due to an absent official did little to break Darwen's stride as they maintained their current good NWCL Division Two form with victory over Daisy Hill.

The opening 20 minutes passed with little goal-mouth action until the nimble-footed Denny Khan crossed from the by-line for Gary Woods to smash home a volley on the turn.

Five minutes later and the game's scoring was complete. Lee Webb was felled in the box after a mazy run and Dennis Hill made no mistake from the spot, arrowing the ball into the top corner.

Scott Grundy then struck a half chance over the bar, and Daisy Hill's only real chance of the game came and went just before half time - 6ft 6 striker Stuart Honor fluffing a header into the arms of a grateful Lee Purvis.

With the Westhoughton side rarely threatening, and Darwen keen to maintain their advantage, the second half was a sloppy affair.

Ex-Darwen keeper Carl Johnson produced two moments of real quality however, saving acrobatically from close ranges efforts by Khan and Grundy.

"We played in fits and starts but I'm very pleased that we've kept another clean sheet," said player manager Steve Wilkes whose side have now scored seven goals in two games.

"We were sluggish earlier on in the season so we're playing catch-up at the moment.

"I've still got ten players missing but if the current team continue to produce the goods then I'll have a selection problem of a good kind when they return."

DARWEN...2

DAISY HILL...0