STAND came from behind to take all three points at NWCL second division rivals Darwen.

With 15 minutes to go Darwen led 2-1 after goals from Lee Wilkinson, who put Stand in the lead, Paul Baker, who scored his 23rd of the season to equalise, and a header from Matt Anderton to put the home side in front.

But a Lee Anderson header, a left foot shot from Steve Carroll and a late goal from Chris Denham sealed the win.

"We threw it away," said Darwen manager Steve Wilkes. "And I was disappointed with the way we did that.

"Their midfielder Steve Carroll ran the show."

Early on Stand hot shot Chris Denham found himself one on one with Darwen keeper Lee Purvis but couldn't find the target.

And Darwen winger Dennis Hill had a similar chance just minutes later but tried to chip the keeper instead of burying it.

On 14 minutes, Stand took the lead when a free kick was played into the feet of Wilkinson by skipper Steve Stott.

He turned marker Matt Atkinson and fired a shot into the net.

But on the half hour Darwen were back on level terms after Dennis Hill, down the left, whipped the ball into Matt Swailes at the near post, he put the ball through the legs of keeper Tommy Allen for Baker to convert.

Stand had a penalty appeal turned down minutes later when Lee Anderson took a knock to the head and just five minutes before the break the home side were in the lead through a Matt Anderton header from a Steve Wilkes free kick.

Darwen went in at the break 2-1 up but Stand were determined not to register what would have been only their third defeat in the league this season. With 15 minutes to go a Stand free kick on the byline was crossed into the box for Anderson to head home past Purvis.

And with five minutes remaining Steve Carroll picked the ball up just inside the Darwen half and went on a run, finally unleashing a left foot shot from the edge of the area into the bottom corner, putting Stand in the lead for the first time during the game.

Darwen threw centre half Andy Walsh up front but a mistake at the back let in Stand for their fourth. The Darwen left-back was dispossessed and Stuart Telfer went on a run up the right wing.

His cross found Denham who hit a superb volley, forcing a great save from Purvis only for the ball to come back out to Denham to 'knee' home.

DARWEN...2 STAND...4