DARWEN claimed the scalp of local rivals and higher league opponents Great Harwood in the first round of the Marsden Challenge Trophy.

Steve Wilkes' side had been defeated 5-2 by the NWCL Division One team in the Worthington Challenge Trophy at the beginning of this month but they got their revenge last night.

And it turned into a good day all round for Wilkes and his assistant Matt Atkinson as they won £50 for predicting the golden goal on 44 minutes.

Harwood had had an early chance when Lee Slater was one on one with Darwen keeper Lee Purvis but he fired it over.

But it was Darwen who scored the first with a penalty decision disputed by the Harwood management on the strike of half time. Neil Kennedy was adjudged to have fouled striker Paul Baker in the area and the linesman gave the spot-kick. Andy Walsh held his nerve to convert it.

The NWCL Division Two side then had a goal disallowed just after the restart when Baker was adjudged to have handled a shot by Walsh which was already going in.

But Darwen made it two on the hour when Neil Baron and Harwood keeper Daryl Sloane jumped for Walsh's ball. It skimmed Baron's head and fell to Matt Swailes who scored his fourth goal in three games since his move from Salford City.

They could have had three at the death through Swailes but Wilkes was more than happy with two.

"It was a good win for us but most pleasing was the three centre halves of Matt Anderton, Andy Walsh and Scott Darbyshire.

"They held firm to keep a clean sheet and that was the most pleasing thing," said Wilkes.

DARWEN...2 GREAT HARWOOD...0