DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes hailed his side's 'best performance in four years' as they came from behind with 10 men to take all three points in this NWCL Division Two encounter.

Top striker Paul Baker scored his 10th of the season after just 14 seconds. Straight from the kick off Andy Walsh hit a long ball forward and the Alsager keeper Rob Powner 'did a Barthez' and Baker nipped in to score.

After 10 minutes, though, Alsager were back on level terms when a John Brown corner was flicked on at the near post by Wayne Brotherton and Rod Tiddeswell headed home.

On the stroke of half time the home side were in front when a Brown free kick was headed in by Paul Island.

Just minutes after the restart, Jimmy Khan - who was playing as a replacement for Scott Grundy, who injured his ankle during the warm-up - was sent off for his second yellow card.

But five minutes later Darwen were back on level terms when a Walsh shot was parried and Denny Khan converted.

Island hit the post and Darwen keeper Lee Purvis made a great save from Tiddeswell but with 10 minutes to go Darwen took a surprise lead when, from a corner, Lee Webb ran from the edge of his own box, past three players, to 30 yards out and hit a left-foot shot past the keeper.

"He only ever uses his left foot for standing on," said Wilkes. "It was brilliant, the best we have played for four years.

"I said the players were rubbish after we were beaten 5-1 by Bacup because I didn't think they were putting in enough effort but I can't praise them enough after last night, from one to 11.

"And the win was made even better because it was our first at Alsager and when you lose there the players sing songs at you when you're walking off the pitch."

RESULT: ALSAGER...2 DARWEN...3