DARWEN made an ideal start to their NWCL Division Two campaign with a comfortable victory at The Anchor Ground.

Steve Wilkes' side went one-up through Matt Anderton on 14 minutes who capitalised on an error by visiting keeper Anthony Duffy.

Jeff Moulton, a close season signing from Bamber Bridge, doubled the home side's lead six minutes later, firing home a Paul Baker cross from the right-hand side.

Despite their dominance, Darwen failed to build on their lead - with last season's top-scorer Baker spurning a great chance to open his account with only the keeper to beat.

However thanks to some sloppy Ashton defending, Baker soon made amends and

headed the ball home from an unmarked position on 50 minutes.

Midway through the second half Ashton got back into the game through Edwardson, yet a comeback never materialised.

"It was a great opening day result for us and to be fair we could have won by a lot more," said Wilkes. "We were guilty of taking our foot off the pedal towards the end, but I'm delighted."

DARWEN...3

ASHTON TOWN...1