AN East Lancashire derby thriller produced six goals and one sending off as the spoils were shared in the NWCL Division Two clash at Holt House.

Colne stretched their unbeaten run to 10 matches despite being a man down for 70 minutes after Gareth West's early sending off for retaliation

The big defender was red-carded for violent conduct after kicking out at an opponent on the touch-line.

There were no arguments from the home side who by then had already seen a 1-0 lead turn into a 2-1 deficit.

Paul Fildes had given the home side the start they wanted with the opener in the ninth minute - his 13th goal of the season - when he return a poor goal kick with interest.

But six minutes later Darwen's player-boss Steve Wilkes, back from injury, levelled from the penalty spot after a foul by Richard Walton.

In the 19th minunute Darwen went ahead when poor marking allowed Scott Grundy freedom to side-foot home after a free kick from the right hand side.

When West was sent off minutes later it looked as though Colne's unbeaten record could fall.

But John Lister's men showed plenty of spirit and they hit back in the 34th minute. Fildes linked nicely with strike partner George Craddock and the latter finished well to take his own tally for the season to 12 goals.

Colne were up against it in the second half, playing uphill against the wind, with only 10 men but 10 minutes from time appeared to have grabbed an against-the-odds victory.

Walton headed against the bar from a Fildes corner and reacted quickest to the rebound, chesting the ball over the line.

But Darwen showed all their fighting spirit to draw level five minutes from time. Colne's Stuart Walters was penalised for a foul in the area and Wilkes held his nerve to score his second penalty of the day.

COLNE...3 DARWEN...3