DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes was more than happy with three points from a potentially difficult trip in NWCL Division Two.

Player-manager Wilkes, who scored twice, is now just hoping that his side can now put a run together to the end of the season.

"We go Blackpool Mechanics on Wednesday and we have got to be looking to produce the same again.

"Holker can be a hard trip and the three points were very welcome.

"Arguably we should have scored a few more goals, but given the dreadful weather conditions we just have to be happy with the win."

Darwen got off to a flying start taking the lead after eight minutes when a Matt Swailes cross from the right was headed in by the unmarked Dennis Hill.

They added to their lead on 15 minutes when a Wilkes corner was returned across goal from the back post by Swailes and Wilkes had made his way into the box to apply the finishing touch.

Holker hit back on 23 minutes when poor defending allowed space for a shot and Darwen keeper Lee Purvis was beaten by a deflection.

But Darwen were two goals to the good again by half-time with a goal that Wilkes described as: "Our best of the season in terms of the movement and passing."

Denny Khan began the move, Wilkes then combined with Paul Baker who fed Swailes on the flank. When the cross was delivered Baker was on hand with the perfect headed touch to set up Wilkes to volley in his second from eight yards.

Darwen were not as quick out of the blocks in the second half and their lead was cut on 46 minutes when a long ball split the defence and the Holker striker beat the on-rushing Purvis to poke the ball into the net.

However, Holker were reduced to ten men soon after as they had a player dismissed for a second bookable offence after a foul on Wilkes.

Goal number four came from the penalty spot after Khan had been brought down, Wilkes turned down the chance of a hat-trick and regular spot kick king Andy Walsh tucked the ball away.

Darwen could have cantered home but Hill, Swailes and Craig Shaw all failed to convert good chances.

HOLKER OB...2 DARWEN...4