DARWEN keeper Lee Purvis was controversially sent off in the NWCL second division game against Leek CSOB at the Anchor Ground last night.

A long through ball was played down the middle by the Leek defender and Purvis came out to collect it.

But the assistant referee flagged to indicate the keeper had come out of his area - Purvis argued that the assistant couldn't see the lines because the pitch was so muddy.

Andy Walsh went in goal and made two tremendous saves to keep Darwen in it at 1-1.

Paul Baker had put the home side ahead in the 15th minute when he headed home from a Steve Wilkes cross.

But Leek equalised when a shot found its way through Purvis's hands.

And with just 15 minutes to go a well-worked free kick found its way onto the head of Baker and he scored his second of the evening, his 22nd of the season.

Darwen are now unbeaten in the league since Novemeber.

DARWEN...2 LEEK CSOB...1