MINNOWS Darwen celebrated one of the greatest nights in their history when they twice came from behind to see off Conference side Morecambe in the Lancashire Marsden Trophy last night.

Morecambe manager Jim Harvey named a full-strength side saying the game would be a practice match for Saturday's FA Umbro Trophy clash against King's Lynn.

But Darwen, from the NWCL second division outfought, outscored and embarrassed the Shrimps on a fantastic night for the club.

"I cannot say enough," said delighted boss Steve Wilkes. "I'm just glad they put their first team out because now nobody can say we only beat their reserves.

"Right through the team we were magnificent. We were expected to get beat by six or seven so I told them to just go out and enjoy it, to show they were good enough.

"I thought Matt Swailes and Lee Webb were outstanding."

Before last night's game Wilkes's proudest moment as boss had come against the same side in the final of the same competition three seasons ago when they were 18 minutes from victory only to eventually lose on penalties.

But last night surpassed even that for the former Preston North End pro. "This is now my proudest moment as a manager," he said. "I want to go as far as I can as a manager and it is results like this that will make people sit up and take notice."

It looked like it was going to be a walk in the park for Morecambe when Gary Thompson put the ball in the net on two minutes only for Darwen to be let off the hook when the linesman raised his flag for offside.

The Shrimps were playing some slick stuff and former Morecambe keeper Kevin Baldwin, in only his second game, had to be on his toes.

Former Liverpool youth midfielder Adriano Rigoglioso had a shot well saved by the 19-year-old on 14 minutes but from the resulting corner defender John Hardiker rose unmarked six yards out to head home.

Few of the 200 spectators could have predicted what would happen next as Morecambe continued to penetrate the Darwen defence with some impressive moves.

But it was Darwen who made a breakthrough when Swailes broke down the left and crossed for top scorer Paul Baker to scramble home on 20 minutes.

Morecambe went ahead again 10 minutes before the break when Robbie Talbot broke away and crossed for Thompson, unmarked and possibly offside, to slot easily home.

But Darwen's heads never dropped and on the stroke of half-time Wilkes floated a free kick to the back post where Baker headed across the face of goal for Matt Anderton to convert.

Morecambe still looked in control but 10 minutes into the second half they were rocked by a Dennis Hill goal. The impressive Swailes again laid it on.

It was backs against the wall again for Darwen and in what was only their fourth significant chance they got their fourth when Lee Webb cheekily chipped Morecambe and former Burnley keeper, Craig Mawson.

"That was superb," added Wilkes.

DARWEN...4 MORECAMBE...2