RUNAWAY second division leaders Stand celebrated a victory in their derby clash with Darwen but neither side would have been happy to finish the game facing up to suspensions.

Three players were shown the red card and there were a rash of bookings which left Darwen boss Steve Wilkes less than happy.

"There were three men sent off and about 11 booked and I don't think there was one bad foul in the game," said Wilkes.

"It became obvious fairly early on that the referee and his linesmen really weren't up to it.

"When you are playing at a decent level you need decent officials and to be honest it spoiled what could have been a good game."

Darwen lost Matt Anderson for a second bookable offence two minutes into the second half and then, when trailing 2-0, had keeper Lee Purves sent off for bringing down Lee Williamson outside his area though he did have defenders covering the goal -- Andy Walsh went between the sticks.

Chris Denham of Stand, who had bagged their second goal, then also took the long walk for a second bookable offence.

And while Wilkes readily accepted Stand had been the better side, he still felt his side had been hampered.

"There is no sour grapes because they were the better side and deserved to win," he said.

"But even when you lose, you like to lose on a level playing field and in normal circumstances.

"At 2-0 Paul Baker scored with a header only to have it ruled offside when he appeared to have been onside and it might have been different had that one stood."

Stand began well and took the lead on eight minutes when Billy McCartney headed in from a corner and they extended their advantage on 63 minutes when Denham struck.

The final goal came 15 minutes from time when Neil Dawes beat stand-in keeper Walsh.

STAND ATHLETIC...3

DARWEN...0