DARWEN...1

HOLKER OLD BOYS...1

DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes was disappointed his players couldn't convert chances into goals as they turned in a 'Hyde' performance.

Wilkes is never quite sure which of his Darwen side will turn up as they have put in some stunning performances to beat the top sides in the NWCL Division Two.

But it wasn't a 'Jeckyll' performance this time out and they had to settle for a point against Holker.

"It was a shocker," said the Darwen chief.

The home side opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Andy Walsh, on the left wing, found Matt Swailes who in turn set up Mark Heys. His first shot was blocked but Heys fired home the rebound to give Darwen a deserved opening.

They had more chances with Paul Baker's header hitting the centre half, it came back to him four yards out and Darwen's top scorer fired over the bar.

Walsh then skied a chance as Darwen looked to open an advantage.

They couldn't do it and Holker came back into it.

The home keeper Lee Purvis pulled off a fantastic double save before, on 65 minutes, a Holker player was left unmarked from an inswinging corner and he made it 1-1.

Not much happened until the end when there was a double sending off.

Graham Foster was red-carded having gone through Scott Derbyshire. And Denny Khan joined him after he had come across to try and break up the scuffle which broke out afterwards.

"There were one or two home truths told after the games," admitted Wilkes. "But we will go to Squires Gate net week, who are a good side, and we will probably win the way it's working out at the moment!"